THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 13, 1996 TAG: 9601130475
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
Fourth-ranked Cox came from behind in the last minute of regulation and again in overtime to edge No. 9 Ocean Lakes 66-64 Friday night and remain a half-game behind Tallwood in the Beach District.
Senior forward Ben Green, forced to play point guard after Carl Lentz fouled out with 43 seconds left in the fourth quarter, scored eight of the Falcons' last 10 points.
Green's running one-hander from the lane with 17 seconds left in regulation forced overtime, and he put the Falcons ahead twice in the extra period, the last time with two free throws with 4.9 seconds remaining.
Ocean Lakes had time to tie or win, but Jack Wheeler rushed a 28-footer that missed everything, and Cox grabbed the rebound.
``I like stepping to the line when the game is on the line,'' said Green, who hit 6 of 7 free throws and scored 17 points. ``I feel comfortable just like I feel comfortable if anyone else on the team is at the line. We work on that every day.''
Ocean Lakes, which lost to Bayside on Thursday night, had possession with the score tied at 64 and appeared to be holding for one shot when Walter Amos was called for carrying the ball.
``They aren't going to call it unless it's obvious,'' Ocean Lakes coach Mike Head said. ``When you (make) 17 of 32 free throws, I don't think you should (complain) about a carrying call.''
The Dolphins missed 3 of 4 free throws in the final minute of regulation and 2 of 4 in overtime.
The Dolphins would have welcomed the thought of overtime after falling behind 13-2 in the early going. Ocean Lakes was 1 of 14 from the field in the first quarter and 0 for 6 from 3-point range.
But the Dolphins shot 54 percent after that and took their biggest lead at 39-35 on a 3-pointer and two free throws by Lorenzo Gales. Ocean Lakes led 39-37 entering the fourth quarter when the Falcons' Lentz and the Dolphins' Toby Johnson engaged in a shootout.
Lentz scored 13 of his season-high 21 points and Johnson scored 12 of his 19 in the fourth quarter.
``I thought Carl carried us,'' said Green, who picked up his fourth foul with 6:17 left in regulation.
Ocean Lakes had a chance to win late in regulation, but Johnson lost the ball out of bounds on a drive to the basket with 3.9 seconds left. Green then threw a long pass for Jamie Irvine, who was guarded by Ernest Harrell. The ball was tipped out of bounds and the official ruled a held ball.
The possession arrow pointed to Cox, and the Falcons got the ball under their basket with 3.9 seconds still left. But the Dolphins played tough defense and Chris McInnis' shot in traffic went over the backboard. by CNB