THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 29, 1995 TAG: 9512290696
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
When asked last week about playing Nansemond River in nondistrict games, Lakeland coach John Fuller said the fewer times the crosstown rivals meet the better.
The No. 7 Warriors did little to change Fuller's mind Thursday night as Antoine Willie scored a game-high 30 points to lead Nansemond River to an 80-67 win in the championship of the Pepsi Christmas Classic at Lakeland.
Willie scored 20 points in the first half as Nansemond River (5-2) broke open a one-point game midway through the second quarter with a 14-2 run.
``District (play) starts next week so we needed to come out here and get it going,'' said Willie, whose team has won three straight after dropping two consecutive games in the Tidewater Classic two weeks ago. ``The whole team played intense defense and we wanted it more than (Lakeland) did.''
The Warriors used a tenacious full-court zone press to force 10 Cavalier turnovers in the second quarter, when they outscored Lakeland 24-12. Lakeland had taken a 10-9 lead late in the first quarter on John Ricks' sideline jumper, but didn't lead after that.
``We knew what to expect, we just let up in the second quarter,'' said Damon Tillery, who finished with 27 points for Lakeland. ``We weren't quick enough and didn't execute.''
Tillery scored nine points in a three-minute span during the second half as Lakeland pulled within nine at 60-51 with 5:25 left. But Anthony Jones tapped a shot in and Randell White and Karron Riddick hit short jumpers to put Nansemond River back up by 17 at the four-minute mark.
``No matter how far the lead is we have to keep playing hard,'' said Warriors forward Montoria Valentine. ``Any team can come back.''
LaShawn Pugh scored 16 and Valentine added 10 for Nansemond River, while Herman Knight poured in 12 and John Ricks had six blocks for the Cavaliers (3-4).
In the third-place game, Andray Jones scored 17 points and David Corprew added 12 as Norview topped Wilson 65-51. The Pilots (6-3) outscored Wilson 19-7 in the first quarter and led throughout, Perez Bottoms scoring a game-high 26 for Norview. Wilson (2-6) cut the lead to four midway through the second quarter but never got any closer. SUFFOLK - When asked last week about playing Nansemond River in nondistrict games, Lakeland coach John Fuller said the fewer times the crosstown rivals meet the better.
The No. 7 Warriors did little to change Fuller's mind Thursday night as Antoine Willie scored a game-high 30 points to lead Nansemond River to an 80-67 win in the championship of the Pepsi Christmas Classic at Lakeland.
Willie scored 20 points in the first half as Nansemond River (5-2) broke open a one-point game midway through the second quarter with a 14-2 run.
``District (play) starts next week so we needed to come out here and get it going,'' said Willie, whose team has won three straight after dropping two consecutive games in the Tidewater Classic two weeks ago. ``The whole team played intense defense and we wanted it more than (Lakeland) did.''
The Warriors used a tenacious full-court zone press to force 10 Cavalier turnovers in the second quarter, when they outscored Lakeland 24-12. Lakeland had taken a 10-9 lead late in the first quarter on John Ricks' sideline jumper, but didn't lead after that.
``We knew what to expect, we just let up in the second quarter,'' said Damon Tillery, who finished with 27 points for Lakeland. ``We weren't quick enough and didn't execute.''
Tillery scored nine points in a three-minute span during the second half as Lakeland pulled within nine at 60-51 with 5:25 left. But Anthony Jones tapped a shot in and Randell White and Karron Riddick hit short jumpers to put Nansemond River back up by 17 at the four-minute mark.
``No matter how far the lead is we have to keep playing hard,'' said Warriors forward Montoria Valentine. ``Any team can come back.''
LaShawn Pugh scored 16 and Valentine added 10 for Nansemond River, while Herman Knight poured in 12 and John Ricks had six blocks for the Cavaliers (3-4).
In the third-place game, Andray Jones scored 17 points and David Corprew added 12 as Norview topped Wilson 65-51. The Pilots (6-3) outscored Wilson 19-7 in the first quarter and led throughout, Perez Bottoms scoring a game-high 26 for Norview. Wilson (2-6) cut the lead to four midway through the second quarter but never got any closer. by CNB