THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 7, 1996 TAG: 9603050124
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
SHWANTE SNEAD posted her 1,000th point and paced Maury to the Eastern Region regular-season championship and a berth in the Eastern Region basketball tournament to culminate a stellar career with the Commodores.
The senior guard averaged 17.2 points with eight rebounds and 3.5 steals per game this season to earn the Eastern District Player of the Year Award as selected by the five coaches.
Snead scored 27 points in the Eastern District tournament and 18 in the Commodores' Eastern Region loss to Salem.
Snead shares first-team honors with teammate Paige Giffen (senior), Booker T. Washington's Raquita Washington (junior) and Tasha Basnight (freshman), Lake Taylor's Ray Ray Johnson (senior) and Norview's Nadine Ward (senior).
Basnight also earned the Newcomer of the Year award. Basnight and Washington were the Bookers' one-two punch this season, leading a fast-paced offensive attack and a tenacious defensive press. Basnight averaged 14.6 points per game, 8.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.1 steals. The rookie spent the first half of the season adjusting to varsity play, then upped her numbers to include a 17.2 scoring average in the second half.
Washington averaged 12.7 points with 6.5 steals, 7.1 assists, 3.4 rebounds.
Commodores coach Lamont Walker, who guided Maury to a 14-8 season and the regular-season championship, was selected the coach of the year.
Giffen, a 5-foot-10 center, averaged 6.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals and one block per game.
Johnson, a 5-9 center, powered the Titans inside attack, averaging 10.1 points and eight rebounds per game.
Ward overcame Norview's struggle, netting 10.8 points per outing.
The second team was comprised of Booker T.'s Karen Johnson and Leah Byrd, Lake Taylor's Juritus Thompson, Norview's JeWonda Bright and Granby's Nicole Jackson.
Lake Taylor's Tasha Thompson, Maury's Nika Crandell and Lisa Joyner, Booker T.'s Erica Simpson, Granby's Tanya Jones and Norview's Kim Fair earned honorable mention. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Shwante Snead
Maury senior is Player of the Year
Paige Giffen
Averaged 7.5 rebounds for Maury
Raquita Washington
Averaged 12.7 points for Booker T.
Tasha Basnight
Booker is the Newcomer of the Year
Ray Ray Johnson
Averaged 10.1 points for Lake Taylor
Nadine Ward
Averaged 10.8 points for Norview
by CNB