THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 14, 1995 TAG: 9512140524
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
When you play for South Hampton Roads' most successful high school basketball team in the '90s, a little thing like the Tidewater Classic is just another two games on the schedule.
At least that's the attitude Nansemond River's top-ranked Warriors have copped entering tonight's game against No. 3 Green Run at Booker T. Washington.
``It's just a regular game,'' said junior guard Antoine Willie, last season's state Group AA player of the year.
``All that's different is that we're playing a Triple-A team instead of a Double-A team and we're playing on Thursday instead of Friday.
``There's nothing special to it.''
That's one way to look at it. Another approach is that thousands of curious, if not skeptical, fans will be getting their first glimpse of the defending state AA champs tonight and Saturday, when they play perennial Group AAA powerhouse Woodbridge at Norfolk State's Echols Arena.
``We want to show the people what we're all about,'' point guard Maurice Fofana said.
What are the Warriors' about? Winning, mostly.
Nansemond River is 104-20 with two state titles since opening in 1990.
That success has been fashioned with old-fashioned man-to-man pressure defense and a fast-break offense that doesn't necessarily look for layups.
Seven Warriors combined to make 10 3-pointers in a 93-60 rout of Churchland on Dec. 2.
``We cut the lead to eight in the third quarter and two minutes later it was up to 22,'' Churchland coach Mac Carroll said. ``They just nailed threes.''
Nansemond River starts four seniors plus Willie, and that experience gives them a sixth sense on the court, Carroll said.
``They come off a high screen and make a pass to the right place without even looking because they know someone will be there,'' Carroll said.
Only two area players have scored 30 points in a game this season. Willie got 34 against Norcom in the opener and Montoria Valentine riddled Churchland for 33.
``I think people will enjoy seeing us play,'' Willie said.
The Tidewater Classic is sort of a test drive for the Warriors, who move up to Group AAA next year.
Nansemond River coach Spencer Mayfield describes playing in Group AA as being on an island.
``No one hears about you until you win the state championship,'' he said.
That's what makes Nansemond River so intriguing. Suffolk schools have won seven state championships since 1969, more than all of the Group AAA schools in South Hampton Roads put together.
Mayfield has coached four championship teams, two at John F. Kennedy and two at Nansemond River.
The way Mayfield figures it, Green Run is the team with something to prove tonight.
``I know those kids are going to come in revved up and looking forward to showing us they can play, too,'' he said.
``That's the way I've always looked it and I figure all coaches think like I think.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by TAMARA VONINSKI, The Virginian-Pilot
``I think people will enjoy seeing us play,'' says Nansemond River's
Antoine Willie, No. 12, of the defending Group AA champion Warriors'
appearance in the Tidewater Classic, which begins tonight at Booker.
T. Washington High School.
by CNB