THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, December 16, 1995 TAG: 9512160436
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
The Tallwood High boys basketball team had hoped to use this weekend's Tidewater Classic to show teams from around the country how good they are. Friday night, Simon Gratz of Philadelphia appeared unfazed.
The Bulldogs, who have played in seven straight city championships, outscored Tallwood 14-2 in the final six minutes of the second quarter and hit big foul shots down the stretch for a 67-52 win at Booker T. Washington.
Tallwood (2-1), ranked second among South Hampton Roads teams, made just 1 of 9 3-point attempts in the first half and trailed by as many as 16.
``We came in here wanting to play someone to see where we were and how far we've progressed,'' said Lions coach Johnny Pope. ``Our guys saw tonight where we can be with a little work.``
Marvin O'Connor scored a game-high 19 and hit five foul shots in the last two minutes for Simon Gratz (5-1). Tallwood had pulled to within 10 for the first time since the second quarter on Rian Everett's 3-pointer.
``We finally ran a set that we could break them down in and that's when they started to hold the ball,'' Pope said. ``They knew we had to foul them and their kids went to the line and made their free throws.''
The Bulldogs made 16 of 20 foul shots overall, 10 of 12 in the fourth quarter.
The Lions tied it at 12 on a jumper by Neil Roberts late in the first quarter, but made only three of their next 10 shots from the field. O'Connor scored seven points, including a 3-pointer to put Simon Gratz up 51-37 at the half.
Everett hit two treys as Tallwood went on a 10-2 run midway through the fourth period. The Bulldogs then held onto the ball for two minutes.
Tallwood, which hit just 3 of 19 from 3-point range, couldn't get any closer than 10. Everett led Tallwood with 17 points.
In other Tidewater Classic games:
Paul Robeson 60, Lakeland 46: The Eagles (4-3) started the game with a 13-2 run and never trailed.
Allen Griffin scored 16 points, nine in the first quarter, to lead three players in double figures for Paul Robeson of New York City.
The Eagles used inside players Shamel Jones (6-foot-8, 195 pounds) and Eric Williams (6-9, 195) to hold the smaller Cavaliers at bay. Jones blocked five shots, all in the first half, and scored 15, while Williams added 10 points.
``We didn't play our game tonight and they took advantage of it,'' Lakeland coach John Fuller said. ``We didn't box out and couldn't hit anything from outside.''
Paul Robeson used a full-court press to confuse the Cavaliers offense in the opening quarter. Griffin had three steals and scored seven of the Eagles first 10 points. Jones dunked Griffin's miss and hit two foul shots to put Paul Robeson up 19-7 before the end of the first quarter.
Lakeland rallied to start the second quarter. John Ricks hit a layup and followed Antoine Riddick's miss. Damon Tillery and Amon Cross then scored off turnovers to pull the Cavaliers (2-2) within 10 with 2:49 left until halftime.
But the Eagles rattled off eight unanswered points, including a dunk by Jones to lead 37-22 at the half.
The Cavaliers failed to hit a trey in the game and went 0 for 10 in the second half as Paul Robeson led by as many as 15.
Damon Tillery, the only Lakeland player in double figures, scored a game-high 18.
Woodbridge 75, Christian Life 40: The Vikings outscored Christian Life of New Orleans 18-2 in the second quarter to break open a close game. Christian Life's only points in the second quarter came on a Travis Bernhard layup at the buzzer.
Tim Fuller scored a game-high 21 points, including three treys and Aaron Demory added 15 points for Woodbridge (3-0).
The Crusaders (8-6) were led by Derick Jones with 16 points.
Christian Life led 22-16, but missed 10 field goals and two foul shots in the second quarter.
St. Augustine 54, Petersburg 48 (OT): Eugene Edgerson scored three of his 18 points in overtime and Lee Love added four of his six as St. Augustine outscored Petersburg 11-5 in the extra period. Travis Blackwell also had 18 for St. Augustine. ILLUSTRATION: L. TODD SPENCER
Shamel Jones of Paul Robeson High of Brooklyn, N.Y., shoots against
Lakeland's John Ricks. Paul Robeson won the game 60-46.
by CNB