THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 17, 1995 TAG: 9503150133
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
When the Indian River boys' basketball team travels to Liberty University in Lynchburg today for the Group AAA state semifinals, they will have the unenviable assignment of facing one of the top teams in the country.
Potomac (26-1) is ranked No. 25 in the USA Today poll and No. 1 by The Washington Post. The Panthers, whose only loss came in the sixth game of the season, have won 21 straight and defeated T.C. Williams, 73-66, in the quarterfinals.
``We play primarily man-to-man and try to play all over the court,'' said Potomac coach Kendall Hayes. ``I haven't heard too much about Indian River, other than they start three 6-6 guys.''
One of those 6-foot-6 guys happens to play at point guard. Junior Terry Rouse has rebounded from a midseason ankle sprain, and he scored 10 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the Braves' 60-49 win over John F. Kennedy in the quarterfinals.
Freshman Jason Capel, who is actually 6-7, scored 12 points and had 14 rebounds against JFK. Forward Jamal Creecy had six points and eight rebounds against the Kougars.
Indian River also has bulk to go with its height. Seniors Quintae McLean and Jeremy Bridges also play football for the Braves and will put a body on the Panthers' less-muscular players.
When Potomac has the ball, the first look goes to 6-4 forward Tinail Harris. Harris scored 27 points and grabbed 14 rebounds against T.C. Williams in the quarters. Erskin Fox, a 5-8 guard, runs the floor.
Mike Neal (6-4 guard) gives the Panthers a sweet touch from the perimeter, and 6-6 junior center Rolan Roberts is a force on the glass. ILLUSTRATION: Photos by GARY C. KNAPP
Jamal Creecy drives to the basket in the Braves' 60-49 win over John
F. Kennedy in the quarterfinals.
Moroan Jackson splits JFK defenders.
by CNB