THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 3, 1995 TAG: 9503030524
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
Putting his mind to playing defense is doing wonders for Indian River guard Terry Rouse's offense.
Rouse, who planned on being a defensive stopper Thursday, wound up scoring a game-high 20 points as the Braves wore down Maury, 68-50, in the Eastern Region semifinals at Churchland High.
The victory boosted the Braves (18-7) into the tournament final tonight against Kecoughtan, and also guaranteed Indian River its first Group AAA state tournament appearance since Alonzo Mourning's senior season in 1988.
But Braves coach Freddie Spellman chose to downplay the accomplishment, at least for now.
``After we win a few more games I might have something to talk about,'' Spellman said. ``But I don't want anybody getting satisfied.''
Maury (18-7) was eliminated from the regional semifinals for the third time in four years.
Rouse hit all six of his field-goal attempts in the first half and wound up 8 of 11 from the field.
``I came into the game thinking defense, and my offense just started clicking,'' he said.
The Braves also got some unlikely long-range shooting from reserve forward Quintae McLean, who surprised everyone but himself by nailing a pair of 3-pointers.
``We weren't expecting that,'' said Maury forward Shaun Jackson, who scored a team-high 17 points. ``We went over them and knew who their shooters were - we thought.''
McLean drained a trey with six seconds remaining in the half to send the Braves into the locker room with a 31-21 lead. Midway through the third quarter, McLean struck again from long distance, this time to move Indian River ahead by 11.
``Coach says if you're open, take it,'' said McLean, who finished with 11 points. ``I can make that shot.''
The Commodores, who hurt themselves with 31 percent shooting in the first half, took advantage of some sloppy third-quarter play by the Braves to pull to within six. Indian River turned the ball over on five of its final six third-quarter possessions.
But Rouse brought the Braves back with a trey to open the final period, and Indian River held Maury scoreless until the 4:36 mark.
Maury cut it back to eight with 2:30 to play before Commodores point guard Ike Richardson (eight points), who was just beginning to heat up, fouled out.
Indian River salted the game away by hitting 16 of 19 free throws in the final two minutes.
``We were counting on putting pressure on Rouse and not letting him heat up,'' Maury coach Jack Baker said. ``But he's so damn big we can't match up with him man-to-man. And going to a zone killed us on the boards.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN/Staff
Indian River's Quintae McLean, left, reacts as Maury's Deshan Davis
puts a hand in the face of Terry Rouse, who scored 20 points to lead
the Braves into the Eastern Region final.
by CNB