THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 15, 1995 TAG: 9502150581
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
When Churchland's Nicole Council is hot, she's sizzling. And even when she's not, she still sends her opponents home with third degree burns.
That's just what the junior guard did Tuesday to Indian River and then three nights later to Great Bridge.
Council scored 30 points, including five second half 3-pointers, as the Truckers blistered the Braves, 90-43. She also made six steals and dished out eight assists.
``I couldn't hit anything in the first half,'' Council said. ``When I was warming up though, I kept hitting them. I let Kizzy (Butler) know and she just kept giving me the ball.''
Great Bridge had a different game plan in mind for the Truckers' 3-point specialist.
The Wildcats' managed to keep a hand in Council's face, which resulted in her making just 2-of-11 attempts from behind the arc.
``She was shooting NBA three's,'' Churchland coach Duke Conrad said. ``She was off by just a little bit. We told her to get better shots.''
Sure enough, Council made the adjustment.
``They were looking for me to shoot the three and I just took it to the hole,'' she said.
She stuck it to the Wildcats for 24 points, 12 rebounds, five steals and four assists in the 63-49 victory that boosted South Hampton Roads' No. 2 team to first place in the Southeastern District.
Council's outstanding efforts have earned her The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star's girls Athlete of The Week honors.
For Council, the big win over the Wildcats was especially sweet.
``Last time they held me to nine points,'' said Council, who painfully watched the game tape over and over again. ``I wasn't hitting my layups or making the easy shots.''
Added Conrad: ``She's going to work for Siskel and Ebert. She studies film more than any player I've ever had.''
Council's academic approach paid off. She put her perimeter game on the back burner and converted the cross court passes in the paint from Butler, who finished the night with 10 assists.
``When you're capable of shooting the three's,'' Conrad said, ``they have to come out at you. A big part of Nicole's success has been her ability to pump fake and take it to the basket.
``She's just a studette.'' by CNB