THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 19, 1995 TAG: 9503170197
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 28 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
Many unfortunate people have faced heat at the Courthouse. During the community recreation league basketball tournament this month, some unfortunate teams will find themselves facing the Heat and the Courthouse.
The Courthouse Hawks soared through the season undebeaten. So did the Plaza Heat. The Hawks play in the boys 10-12 bracket; the Heat, in the boys 13-14.
Both teams use pressing, swarming defenses to wear down opponents. The Heat, a little older and more sophisticated, run a fast-break and improvise more on offense. By the second half, their full-court press and half-court traps have led to many points on turnovers.
Both teams have something else in common. They have won outside the community league, so they should be seasoned come March Madness, Virginia Beach-style. The Hawks took the Plaza Invitational and the St. Gregory's Tournament. The Heat won the St. Gregory's Tournament in their division.
The Hawks are coached by Matt Kemick and Kenny Deaton coaches the Heat. Both coaches know that being unbeaten means little come tournament time. They voiced respect for the fine teams in their divisions. Like all coaches, Deaton and Kemick sounded cautious.
Champions in community league adult basketball and volleyball will also be crowned in the next two weeks.
TENNIS: Head tennis pro at Owl Creek Tennis Center, Jose Benjumea, has wanted to extend the sport to include the often-disadvantaged youth who live within in a baseline-lob of the facility. It looks as if his dream has started coming true.
Last week, Benjumea's Adopt-A-School tennis program attracted about 45 kids from Birdneck Elementary School. Benjumea hosted two sessions for the students and called them gratifying and successful. He has spoken before about attracting more minorities to the sport.
``It's a good beginning, a start on the Half-Mile Program we've been wanting to implement,'' said Benjumea, referring to the surrounding neighborhoods.
SPRING BREAK, WITH A TWIST: Or maybe a top-spin.
The Drexel University men's tennis team will take their spring break in Virginia Beach from March 25-29. Besides taking in some sights and amusements, the team will practice daily on the Owl Creek courts under the watchful eye of coach Laura White.
Call the Owl Creek Tennis Center at 437-4804 for information about watching the college players yourself. . . .or about any of the numerous clinics and tournaments offered.
RECREATION ON WHEELS: Most residents know about the state-of-the-art community recreations centers in the city. But many may not be aware that, if you can't visit the centers, the Parks and Recreation Department can bring recreation to you.
It's called the Mobile Activity Center. It's a big blue and white trailer that sits in the parking lot of the main office on Lynnhaven Parkway when it's not bringing fun and games to kids who can't make to the big centers.
Katherine Speights, a special operations technician, worked with the MAC for about a year. It offers basketball and other athletic events, but something more important maybe.
``By bringing activity to the kids, they and their parents don't have to struggle to travel to the centers. And many aren't able to,'' she said.
``The participation level is very high. The kids would waving and start running toward the trailer the minute we pulled in.''
The trailer offers games, activities, crafts and special events for the youth, but it does more, too.
``We inform them about recreation programs, try to get parents involved and help and encourage them with school work,'' Speights said. Parent involvement has steadily increased, she added.
LONG DISTANCE, PLEASE: At Great Neck Community Center Feb. 23, Don Mercier dialed long distance, but it won't be on his phone bill. The 22-year-old former All-Navy player won the 3-point shootout by sinking 17 of 20 from behind the arc in the final round of the three-round elimination tournament. by CNB