THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 8, 1996 TAG: 9602080559
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 48 lines
Maury successfully worked the odds Wednesday.
In even quarters, Maury struggled to just five points. But in the odd quarters, the Commodores racked up 25 points. In the third overtime, Maury hit a buzzer-beater to defeat Booker T. Washington 40-38. Maury (11-5, 5-1) secured a share of the Eastern District title and Booker T. (8-6, 3-2) fell into a tie for second.
After battling through two overtimes, Maury struck first in the third as Victoria Holden hit a jumper. Leah Byrd responded to tie the score at 38-38. Maury took the ball with 54 seconds remaining and tried to keep it in Shwante Snead's hands until the final shot.
Snead, anticipating the Bookers defensive strategy, surged into the lane, then passed to Paige Giffin.
``I just drove to the lane,'' Snead said. ``I knew they thought I was going to take the shot. I saw her open. I knew we needed a shot and that she was the better person to shoot it.''
Giffin was not quite so sure.
``I was sure hoping I did,'' she said. ``It was like slow mo.''
With the score tied 30-30 in regulation, the Commodores attempted to hold the final shot. Bookers' Byrd intercepted a pass with two seconds remaining and time expired. In the first overtime, both teams scored four quick points then Booker T. tried the holding tactic. Maury gained possession with three seconds remaining, but a half-court shot went wide.
In the second overtime, Washington stole the ball and raced to the basket, but fired her missed layup after the buzzer. Commodores leading scorer Snead held back from taking the expected shot in each overtime.
``She didn't try to force anything and attacked when she had to,'' Maury coach Lamont Walker said. ``When she attacked, she left someone open and went to her.''
Snead led the Commodores with 15 points. Giffin netted 12.
Karen Johnson paced Booker T. with 13 points and freshman Tasha Basnight scored 12.
In another game:
Norview 36, Granby 33: Nadine Ward scored 10 points as the Pilots battled back from a sluggish start. Tanya Jones had seven points in the first quarter as the Comets jumped out to a 12-2 lead. by CNB