THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 25, 1996 TAG: 9602250229
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
Kempsville's Erin Duckett and Melissa Kristofak combined for a 17-point third quarter and Kempsville survived a challenging fourth quarter to edge Salem 63-57 in the Beach District girls basketball tournament final Saturday night.
Kempsville (24-2), also the Beach regular-season champ, hosts Eastern District tournament champ Booker T. Washington in an Eastern Region game at 7 p.m. Salem (17-6) travels to Eastern District regular-season winner Maury.
``I came out kind of nervous,'' Duckett said. ``I calmed down in the third quarter and my teammates passed me the ball.''
``My seniors Charlette (Fayton) and Kristen (Cholewa) did a great job,'' coach Greg Dunn said. ``Erin Duckett played a good game, she did a lot of good things out there. Melissa was a boost off the bench.
``The game was very well played, both offensively and defensively. Our kids needed to win a tight game. This has me real optimistic for the regionals.''
The Chiefs, leading 52-43, pulled the ball back in the fourth quarter, but Salem's Michelle Garcia intercepted a pass, fed Misty Colebank on a two-on-one and Colebank got it right back for a Garcia layup.
Kempsville tried the strategy again and Garcia forced another turnover. Colebank was fouled and hit both free throws to cut the gap to 52-47.
Carrie Heath missed a layup and Colebank grabbed the rebound, getting it to Garcia, who was fouled. She hit both free throws to pull Salem to within three.
Kristofak hit a jumper for a 55-50 lead, then Colebank was called for charging on a drive with 2:32 remaining. Salem was forced to foul and Kempsville made 9 of 14 free throws down the stretch, though Garcia hit a pair of late 3-pointers to keep the Sun Devils close.
Early on Kempsville operated from behind the 3-point arc, scoring three of its first four baskets on treys. The Sun Devils' speed drew fouls on both ends of the court, allowing them to offset the Chiefs' 3-point assault.
Kempsville hit eight 3-pointers and Salem netted 22 of 26 free-throw attempts, including 11 of 13 by Colebank. Duckett posted 14 points, Kristofak 13 and Cholewa 12 for Kempsville. Colebank led Salem with 23 and Garcia had 15, nine in the final quarter. by CNB