THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 8, 1995 TAG: 9502080658
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
Churchland's Marvin Rodgers made two free throws with 12 seconds remaining and Indian River missed two 3-point attempts with time running out as the Truckers held off the Braves for a 56-53 victory Tuesday at Indian River.
The victory gives the Truckers (15-4 overall, 11-1 in the district) a two-game lead over Indian River and Deep Creek in the Southeastern District race with two games remaining.
Churchland can lock up the district's regular season title and an Eastern Region playoff berth with a victory Friday when the Truckers host Great Bridge.
The 6-foot-8 Rodgers, who had averaged 20 points in his previous two games, didn't have a stellar night offensively, finishing with 12 points. But he had 17 rebounds, the most important coming with 15 seconds left after Indian River's Doug Basnight missed a mid-range baseline jumper.
``When you're blessed with 6-8 and you're not doing it offensively, you better rebound,'' Rodgers said.
Part of Rodgers' problem was the presence of 6-7 Indian River freshman Jason Capel, who finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds and blocked two of Rodgers' attempts.
The Truckers, ranked third in the area and 10th in the state Group AAA poll, held what appeared to be a comfortable 33-21 lead at the half. But Indian River, ranked sixth in the area, charged back and tied matters at 48-48 with just under five minutes remaining on a rebound basket by Capel.
An 18-foot jumper by David Selby gave the Braves a 50-48 lead with 4:25 left. But Churchland's D.J. Dunbar, who had 11 points, sank two free throws to deadlock it again.
Capel then canned a 3-pointer with 2:22 remaining for a 53-50 lead.
The Braves (11-5, 9-3) failed to get off a field-goal attempt on their next five possessions, turning the ball over repeatedly near half court.
``We didn't do anything different defensively other than scramble on some backside traps,'' said Churchland coach Mac Carroll. ``It was good enough to take away some of their vision and cause some turnovers.''
Churchland's Terrance Taylor came up with two steals in the final two minutes, and added a key layup with 1:04 remaining that cut the Braves' lead to 53-52. Then Mike Holland, who had a team-high 14 points, sank two free throws with 31 seconds left for a 54-53 advantage.
After Basnight's missed jumper and Rodgers' free throws, James Boyd and Selby missed 3-pointers in the waning seconds that could have sent it into overtime.
``We've got to win the rest of them and win the district tournament to make the (region) playoffs now,'' Indian River coach Freddie Spellman said. ``That's the way we've got to look at it.''
In other Southeastern action:
Deep Creek 73, Great Bridge 59: Shelton Davis had 24 points and 15 rebounds as the visiting Hornets dominated the boards.
Deep Creek converted nine offensive rebounds into baskets, including five in the third quarter.
Mike Harrington had 17 points, Arnie Powell added 14 and Antonio Rhodes 12 for the Hornets (11-7, 9-3).
Corey Holley had 13 points, Steve Hargrow added 12 and Torey Jordan 10 for the Wildcats (7-12, 4-8).
Norcom 87, Wilson 72: Greg Catron came of the bench to score 20 points, nine during a 31-point fourth quarter by Norcom (7-11, 6-6).
Perez Bottoms finished with a game-high 21 points for Wilson (2-16, 2-10).
Oscar Smith 54, Western Branch 50: Oscar Smith's Jamaar Lewis scored 10 of his 15 points in the first quarter, sparking a 13-0 run.
William Bonner added 18 points and had eight steals for the Tigers (9-10, 5-7)).
Daryl Walton scored 14 points for Western Branch (4-14, 2-10). ILLUSTRATION: Photo
MOTOYA NAKAMURA/Staff
Indian River's Jason Capel, right, and Churchland's Mike Holland go
after a loose ball during Tuesday night's action.
by CNB