THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 29, 1996 TAG: 9602290456
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
Four red-hot teams square off tonight in the Eastern Region boys basketball tournament semifinals at Churchland.
Green Run (20-4) plays Menchville (21-3) at 6, followed by Indian River (22-3) and Tallwood (21-3).
The winners, who qualify for the state quarterfinals March 9, meet for the region championship Friday night at Churchland.
Indian River has won 18 consecutive games, Menchville 14 and Tallwood 10. Green Run has won 10 of its past 11. The Stallions snapped the region's longest winning streak Tuesday night when they upset top-ranked Maury 69-57 in double overtime. The Commodores were 23-0.
Tallwood coach Johnny Pope promises he won't try anything drastic to slow down Indian River, the area's highest-scoring team at 75.2 points per game.
``We won't hold it,'' Pope said. ``You've got to go with what's been working for you.''
Tallwood has been an up-tempo team most of the season, but has scored more than 54 points only once in the last four games. The Lions have had a lot of success spreading the floor and letting Phil Clay penetrate for layups or assists.
``We usually do that when teams won't match up,'' Pope said. ``Indian River will match up.''
Indian River coach Freddie Spellman said he expects Tallwood to be patient, spread the floor and look for open 3-pointers. The Braves have thrived playing full-court pressure defense, but Spellman isn't sure how effective that will be against the Lions' three-guard lineup.
That three-guard set could be a liability on defense, however, as Tallwood will be giving up 2-4 inches at every position except point guard.
Spellman speculated that Tallwood may try a box-and-one to contain 6-foot-8 Jason Capel.
``If we're not hitting our outside shots, that might slow us down,'' Spellman said.
The Braves hit six 3-pointers in their 77-48 rout of Phoebus in the quarterfinals.
The first game pits Green Run's inside strength against Menchville's perimeter shooting and depth. The Stallions' 6-6 Plaxico Burress and 6-5 Will Brooks combined for 48 points and 22 rebounds in the quarterfinals against Maury.
But the Stallions were a woeful 13 of 27 from the free throw line and used only six players in the double-overtime victory. Menchville has hit as many 13 3-pointers in a game and used 11 players in its 75-71 victory over Deep Creek.
WINDSOR WINS: Corey Liggins scored 10 of his 17 points in the first quarter as Windsor blew out Washington & Lee 89-68 in the Region A Single A quarterfinal.
Liggins' 10 first quarter points helped Windsor jump out to an early 15-point lead. The Dukes play Northampton in the semifinals Saturday at Lancaster County High School at 7 p.m. ILLUSTRATION: Chart by Bill Moore
Eastern Region Boys
For copy of chart, see microfilm< by CNB