THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 28, 1996 TAG: 9602280509
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
Any march to a state title requires six steps.
The Indian River Braves took their first step Tuesday night like a well-oiled, precision drill team.
Behind 24 points from junior guard David Selby and a near-triple-double by sophomore forward Jason Capel, the Braves routed visiting Phoebus 77-49 in the opening round of the Eastern Region boys basketball tournament at Indian River.
The Braves (22-3), in winning their 18th straight, led from start to finish as Capel collected 18 points, 18 rebounds and eight assists.
``Just another Capel game,'' Selby said. ``He's the big man in the middle.''
Indian River will meet Tallwood (21-3) in the second game of Thursday's Eastern Region semifinals at Churchland High at approximately 7:30 p.m.
``(Indian River is) big, fast, strong, experienced, deep, talented,'' Phoebus coach Mike Tallon said. ``That pretty much sums it up.
``What can you do against a team that has five guys who can all crash the boards and score? If you're not perfect against them, you don't stand a chance.''
The Phantoms (16-8) knew they had to contain Capel inside with double teams and prayed the Braves would have a cold night from the perimeter. But when 6-foot-6 shooting guard Terry Rouse canned 4 of 5 attempts from 3-point range in the first half, that ruined the game plan.
``Terry did that last year in the regionals for us,'' Capel said. ``When the tournament starts, he steps it up. He's a senior. For him, it's the last chance.''
Rouse finished with 14 points.
Phoebus was led by center Drew Walker, who scored 10 points before fouling out. Guard Omari Gray was held to seven points, six below his team-leading average.
Capel made only four field-goal attempts, three of those the result of offensive rebounds, but he was 10 for 10 from the foul line, continuing an impressive late-season streak.
In his last 11 games, Capel has made 89 of 100 free throws.
``If that's where teams want to put him, that's fine with us,'' said Indian River coach Freddie Spellman. ``He doesn't miss many.''
After leading 41-29 at the half, the Braves went cold in the first four minutes of the second half and a slashing layup by Charles Curry cut the Indian River advantage to 44-37. But a 3-pointer by Selby started a 19-2 run that ended all doubt about the outcome.
Selby scored 10 points and started five of the Braves' bolts downcourt with three steals and two blocked shots during the seven-minute stretch.
``David's anticipation is great and he just gets into the passing lanes,'' Capel said. ``He's small (6-foot), but he gets all over people and can rebound.'' by CNB