THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 24, 1995 TAG: 9512220215
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR SUFFOLK
LENGTH: Medium: 98 lines
WHILE MOST high school students are enjoying a few days respite from classes over the holidays, it will be business as usual for many area boys basketball teams.
Seven teams - Nansemond River, Lakeland, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, Southampton, Franklin, Smithfield and Windsor - will play in tournaments this week.
The best potential matchup could come at Lakeland's Pepsi Christmas Challenge, where Nansemond River will meet the Cavaliers if both win first-round games.
``When we play records don't matter,'' said Nansemond River coach Spencer Mayfield. ``We've been fighting each other for five years and that's how it goes with crosstown rivals.''
Added Lakeland coach John Fuller, ``The fewer times we have to play each other, we're both better off.''
The Warriors may have the most at stake in the tournament. They're trying to bounce back after suffering two losses in the Tidewater Classic last week.
``We stunk up the place. We didn't play well and we got our rear sides bounced,'' said Mayfield, whose team lost only two games all of last year in winning the Group AA state championship. ``The coaches sat down and we brainstormed to try to figure out what was wrong. Then we talked to the kids to try to point some things out to get the problems solved.''
Nansemond River appeared problem-free Tuesday, when it handed previously unbeaten Bruton a 95-60 loss.
``One game can't tell the story of whether you're back,'' Mayfield said. ``There are a lot more games to go, but we're back to playing as a team.''
Here's a look at each holiday tournament with the teams' records through Wednesday:
Pepsi Christmas Challenge
Where: Lakeland
Teams and records: Nansemond River (3-2); Lakeland (2-3); Norview (5-2); Wilson (2-4)
Schedule: Wednesday - Nansemond River vs. Norview, 6:30 p.m.; Lakeland vs. Wilson, 8 p.m.; Thursday - Consolation, 6:30 p.m.; Championship, 8 p.m.
Outlook: The Warriors' Antoine Willie, who scored 38 against Bruton, leads the Bay Rivers District with 23.8 points per game. Montoria Valentine averages 15, while LaShawn Pugh has added 12.3 for Nansemond River. Lakeland has four players - Brian Baker, Amon Cross, John Ricks and Damon Tillery - who average in double figures. Perez Bottoms (18.6) and Andruy Jones (15.0) lead Wilson and Norview, respectively. Two wins could be a huge lift in the Suffolk schools' last nonconference games.
Burger King Christmas Classic
Where: Smithfield High
Teams and records: Greensville County (6-0); Windsor (3-3); Surry County (5-1); Smithfield (3-1)
Schedule: Thursday - Greensville County vs. Windsor, 6 p.m.; Surry County vs. Smithfield, 8 p.m.; Friday - Consolation game, 6 p.m.; Championship, 8 p.m.
Outlook: The Dukes could have their hands full with Greensville County, which has three players averaging over 13 points per game. If Windsor gets past the Eagles, it'll face Smithfield for the third time. The Packers, led by Carlos Parker with 21 points a game, have won both meetings. In the first round, Smithfield will be looking to avenge last week's 72-69 loss to Surry County.
East/West Challenge
Where: Hampton Roads Academy
Teams and records: Nansemond-Suffolk Academy (2-3); Hampton Roads (2-3); Norfolk Collegiate (4-4); Tidewater Academy (5-1); Fuqua School (3-2); Holy Cross (1-6)
Schedule: Thursday - Tidewater vs. Norfolk Collegiate, 4 p.m.; Holy Cross vs. N-SA, 5:30 p.m.; Fuqua vs. Hampton Roads, 7 p.m.; Friday - Norfolk Collegiate vs. Fuqua, 4 p.m.; N-SA vs. Tidewater, 5:30 p.m.; Hampton Roads vs. Holy Cross, 7 p.m.; Saturday - Holy Cross vs. Norfolk Collegiate, 1 p.m.; Fuqua vs. N-SA, 2:30 p.m.; Tidewater vs. Hampton Roads, 4 p.m.
Outlook: Saints coach Rick Van Orden said it's important for his team to use this tournament to ``tune-up for January,'' when Nansemond-Suffolk starts conference play. Freshman Warren Carroll leads N-SA with 20.6 points per game, while Eddie Bagnell has chipped in 13.6.
Burger King Christmas Classic
Where: Southampton High
Teams and records: Southampton (3-2); Franklin (1-4); Goochland (0-5); Sussex Central (0-5)
Schedule: Wednesday - Goochland vs. Franklin, 6 p.m.; Southampton vs. Sussex Central, 8 p.m.; Thursday - Consolation, 6 p.m.; Championship, 8 p.m.
Outlook: The Indians and Broncos will meet for the second time this season if both win their opening round games. Southampton won 82-62 last week in the district opener for both teams. Shawn Tann leads the Indians with 15.6 points per game, followed by Rodney Darden, Greg Scott and Anthony Wiggins, who average more than 11 points each. Sidney Gainey has scored 15 a game for Franklin. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Nansemond River star Antoine Willie shoots a 3-pointer against
Bruton in a recent game.
by CNB