THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 6, 1995 TAG: 9512060573
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
Call it a changing of the guards.
Third-ranked Tallwood has them. Sixth-ranked Booker T. Washington doesn't.
And that was the difference Tuesday night as the Lions raced past the Bookers 81-61 in their opener.
Tallwood's three-man backcourt of Rian Everett, Phil Clay and Vance Hayes combined for 47 points and seven 3-pointers while playing an almost flawless floor game. Tallwood committed only eight turnovers, five in the fourth quarter after the outcome had long been decided.
``They are students of the game,'' Tallwood coach Johnny Pope said. ``They know what the system has open for them and they work to get it.''
Booker T. Washington once was the recognized leader in outstanding guard play from Michael Evans to Kenny Brown. But they are gone and Detron Short, who was supposed to play the point this season, has yet to suit up.
``We're not poised at the guards,'' Booker T. coach Jarrell Wilkerson said. ``We have a lot of work to do.''
Tallwood's guards consistently beat the Bookers off the dribble for layups and assists in building a 37-24 halftime lead. Then, as if seeking a new challenge, Everett and Hayes came out in the third quarter and hit three 3-pointers during a 13-1 run that mushroomed the margin to 50-31.
Everett, who led all scorers with 25 points, scored 14 points and hit all three of his treys in the third quarter.
Lions' center Neil Roberts complemented the perimeter play with 23 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.
Roberts scored six consecutive points, the last four on dunks, during a 12-2 run late in the second quarter.
Booker T. (1-1) was coming off a victory over Great Bridge last Friday, but that hardly prepared the Bookers for Tallwood.
Kevin Fuller led the Bookers with 14 and Antwan Epps added 11. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
L. TODD SPENCER
Even defense like this by Booker T.'s Lance Green, left, couldn't
stop Tallwood's Rian Everett, who led all scorers with 25 points.
by CNB