THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 6, 1996 TAG: 9601060402
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
Sometimes a sharp rivalry brings out the worst in teams.
The Churchland-Oscar Smith showdown Friday night was hindered not by taunting words or deeds, but by nervous mistakes and misplayed passes.
After a tremulous first half by both teams, the Truckers settled into the second half to score a 47-28 victory.
``This game tends to be played with a lot of emotion,'' Churchland coach Duke Conrad said of the Southeastern District rivals. ``There are lots of scrappy plays, lots of loose balls and lots of diving on the floor. This tends to make it a little sloppy.''
Both teams played a fast-break offense and a pressing defense. The offensive efforts overshadowed the defense early, giving each team open shots under the basket, but neither side could convert.
``Both teams had a lot of opportunities, and both missed them,'' Conrad said. ``We were forced to do some things we were not comfortable doing.''
Oscar Smith coach Patty Walsh agreed. Three-point threat Starr Parker was shut down by the Churchland defense, a ploy Walsh had prepared the Tigers to face.
``I was prepared for that, but the other people didn't come through,'' Walsh said. ``We had plenty of open shots and missed them. We were wide open, but we just didn't pull it out.''
With the score 25-20 after three quarters, both teams were looking for a player to pick up the pace, and Churchland sophomore Shelly Singleton stepped into the role.
Strong on defense but struggling with her shot to that point, Singleton scored nine points in the final period, six in the final 1:16. When the dust settled, she had amassed and 11 points and 24 rebounds, 11 on the offensive end.
``In the fourth quarter, I wanted to be mentally in it,'' Singleton said. ``I needed to make sure I had my stuff together and knew what I was doing, but at the same time I knew I wasn't completely there mentally. I tried my hardest and hustled as hard as I could.''
Churchland edged a 15-11 halftime lead, then built it to 22-15 midway through the third quarter.
Oscar Smith's Krystal Johnson netted a jumper, then hit three free throws to cut the gap to two.
The Truckers responded with a back-breaking three-point play as Singleton hit a free throw, then Kim Elliott rebounded the second attempt and chipped in a jumper.
From there the Tigers were unable to cut into the lead as Singleton and the Truckers launched a 22-point fourth quarter.
Elliott paced the Truckers with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Nicole Council added 10 points.
Johnson and Sharrnia Artis led Oscar Smith with 10 points each. ILLUSTRATION: TAMARA VONINSKI
The Virginian-Pilot
Oscar Smith and Churchland players battle for the ball in a contest
marked by plenty of hustle, and mistakes.
by CNB