THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 7, 1996 TAG: 9601050194
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 98 lines
FOR LASHELLE AND Denita Griffin, Great Bridge girls basketball is a family affair.
The sisters, following in their mother Frances' footsteps, are starring for the Wildcats, just as she did back in 1978 when she was Frances Mitchell.
``A lot of people who watched back then say they play like me,'' Frances said.
``It's neat to be able to finally watch both of them at the same time instead of leaving to pick the other up.''
And for the first time since they began their careers, Mom's been able to watch the sisters play on the same team instead of battling it out on the court in the Griffins' front yard.
``We've been playing out in the yard since I was 5,'' said Denita, now 14 and the only freshman starting for the fifth-ranked Wildcats, who had an 7-1 overall record and a 2-1 mark in the Southeastern District heading into Friday night's game with Norcom.
Denita says that she and Lashelle, a 17-year-old senior, spend Sundays shooting around without much competition between them.
Lashelle, however, might tell you otherwise.
``She thinks she has to beat me,'' she said.
The pair, admittedly, are like night and day. On and off the court.
Lashelle, a lean, 5-foot-8 forward, is the reserved leader and the Wildcats' top offensive threat. Denita, standing 5-3, is a complete, but small, package. She's quick and aggressive on defense. Offensively, she's the kind of player who can make things happen.
``We're two different people,'' Lashelle said. ``We play two different ways.''
But they play with a common purpose when it comes go going against their 12-year-old brother or the rest of the Southeastern District.
``We usually take him on 2-on-1,'' Lashelle said. ``We keep messing with him because she's quick and I'm tall. He usually gets mad and goes in the house.''
And for their high school opponents, the sisters stick it to the opposition with a court awareness like no other players on their team.
``She knows where I am and I know where she is,'' Denita said. ``She tells me what to do and when I need to do it.''
Added Lashelle: ``We know each other so well. When she's down, I'm behind her.''
And when Lashelle, one of the Wildcats' captains, is bothered by the pressure of living up to last year's All-District performance, guess who's there playing a supporting role?
``Yes, Denita picks me up,'' Lashelle said. ``At first I thought she'd drive me crazy being together at home and then at practice. I wanted her to play varsity, but I didn't want her to make varsity because she's my sister. She was needed. We didn't really have a point guard.''
But the Wildcats sure have one now.
Denita leads Great Bridge with four assists per game, is tied with her sister for the team lead in steals with three per game and is averaging 5.8 points.
Denita is content with her role as playmaker while Lashelle carries the burden of being the team's leading scorer at 16.4 points a game.
``I'm not really a shooter, I'm a passer,'' Denita said. ``If I'm not hot (from the perimeter), I'll just pass it.''
And Lashelle is always there, telling her to do just that.
``Denita looks to Lashelle to tell her what she's doing wrong,'' Frances said. ``She keeps her in control.''
Said Lashelle: ``Sometimes I yell at her. I guess I expect her to do things the right way. It's hard knowing what she can do.''
While Denita is carefree and enjoying her starting status, Lashelle is feeling the pressures of living up to what she's done in the past and hoping her efforts will bring her a college scholarship.
``I have so much to live up to,'' Lashelle said. ``The expectations. The honors. I have to deliver.
``It's hard being a captain and a sister. If I have to make a decision towards her, I can't be biased. I have to put the team first. In practice, she's the one to make everyone laugh. I'm the one who has to keep everybody focused.''
Lashelle hopes Denita will take heed to that focus and along with a season of varsity experience under her belt, carry it over to Hickory High, where she's sure her little sister will make a name for herself.
``The guys' team calls her `Little Shelle.' People expect her to follow me.''
But Denita isn't feeling those pressures right now. She's content watching her sister shine and waiting for her day to come.
``Everybody says I'm better than she was (when she was a freshman),'' Denita said. ``But right now, I just want to see her succeed.'' ILLUSTRATION: File photo
Lashelle Griffin of Great Bridge drives down the court in a game
against Booker T. Washington last season.
Photo
Denita Griffin
Great Bridge star
by CNB