THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 8, 1995 TAG: 9502080673
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
As the dean of coaches in the Eastern District, Maury's Jack Baker is something of an expert on momentum.
``It's hard to lose and even harder to regain,'' Baker said, trying to make sense of the fourth-ranked Commodores' 58-53 victory over No. 2 Granby on Tuesday night. ``Often something spectacular has to happen for it to change.''
That something for Maury was a hot-shooting second half, triggered by a swarming half-court trap that forced 15 Granby turnovers. The Commodores hit 14 of 21 shots from the field in wiping out a 35-21 halftime deficit and suddenly find themselves with the best kind of momentum in a crowded Eastern District race.
Maury (15-4, 4-2) has won four consecutive district games after starting the season 0-2 and is tied with Granby and Booker T. Washington for first place with two games remaining.
``We just didn't quit,'' Baker said.
The Commodores could have been excused if they had wanted to quit at halftime. Maury shot 25 percent from the field, 44.4 percent from the foul line and committed 10 turnovers in the first half.
``Coach told us in the locker room we had played about as poorly as we can play,'' senior guard Todd Davidson said. ``That we were only down by 13 was almost a blessing.''
Baker tabbed Davidson to start the second half, and he responded by hitting a quick 3-pointer.
That was the lift Maury needed. The Commodores hit their first four shots from the field in the second half, including a second trey by Davidson, who finished with 12 points.
Maury took its first lead at 47-46 on a fast-break layup by Ike Richardson with 3:45 remaining. Shaun Jackson followed with a layup off a feed from Richardson, and Ray Heard hit a jumper off the glass to extend the margin to 52-47.
Twice Granby got back within three, the last time at 56-53 with 12 seconds left.
But Richardson hit both ends of the one-and-one to close out the Comets.
Shawn Hobson and Toweh Keter scored 13 points each for Granby. Hobson, who was leading area AAA players in scoring at 22.3 points per game, hit only one basket in the second half.
Lake Taylor 82, Booker T. Washington 63: Toot Young and Mike West scored 10 points each in the fourth quarter as the Titans broke the No. 5 Bookers' press for easy baskets to gain their first district victory.
Darnell Whitaker led the Titans with 19 and Young and Reggie Hawkins added 15 each. Kenny Brown led Booker T. with 28. by CNB