THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, March 9, 1996 TAG: 9603090542
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
Hot teams often lament a layoff of any kind, especially one that lasts a week. But seven days rest may be just what Indian River (23-4) needed heading into tonight's Group AAA state quarterfinal against Douglas Freeman (24-1) at the Ashe Center in Richmond.
Indian River's 68-66 loss to Menchville in the Eastern Region final was the Braves' 10th game in 18 days.
``Our kids were just tired,'' Indian River coach Freddie Spellman said after the Braves' had their 19-game winning streak snapped.
If fatigue is a factor tonight, Spellman hopes it is Freeman that suffers. With fresh legs Indian River can be expected to press fullcourt and try to force a quick tempo.
``We're more of a halfcourt ballclub,'' Freeman coach Larry Parpart said, ``but we'll run if the opportunity presents itself.''
The Rebels are led by Colin Ducharme, a 6-9, 235-pound senior who signed in the fall with Virginia. Freeman plays mostly man-to-man defense, but don't expect Ducharme to open on Indian River's 6-8 Jason Capel.
Capel leads the Braves' in scoring and rebounding and his ability to play on the perimeter gives most teams matchup problems. Asked who will guard Capel, Parpart said, ``The whole team, probably.''
The key for the Braves, however, might be 6-6 swingman Terry Rouse. Indian River is 11-3 in postseason games over the past two seasons, but only 1-3 when Rouse scores fewer than 10 points.
GROUP AA BOYS: In state quarterfinals, Nansemond River (24-2) will play Caroline (24-2) at Lakeland at 7 p.m., while Lakeland (17-9) faces Fort Defiance (22-4) at 7 at Spotswood High in Penn Laird.
The Nansemond River-Caroline game features two region players of the year, the Warriors' Montoria Valentine (Region I) and the Cavaliers' Damian Woolfolk (Region II). Valentine averages 19.6 points and more than 17 rebounds per game, and Woolfolk contributes 19.7 points and 9.6 boards. Antoine Willie has averaged 25.7 points per game for the Warriors.
The Warriors are appearing in their fourth state tournament in the last five years. Caroline, which lost in a state semifinal last season to Northside, had won 15 straight games before losing in the region final to Fort Defiance last week.
Lakeland is making its first appearance in the state tournament after stunning unbeaten Greensville County in a Region I semifinal.
The Cavaliers are led by Damon Tillery (17 points per game) and John Ricks (11 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks per game). Amon Cross averages 9.2 points per game off the bench for Lakeland.
Fort Defiance, the Valley District regular-season champions, were ranked as high as sixth this season in Group AA after going 9-12 last season. The Indians have six seniors and play nine deep.
GROUP AAA GIRLS: Eastern Region champion Salem (20-6) hosts Central Region runner-up James River (23-2) at Churchland High at 6 p.m.
Senior Misty Colebank has sparked the Sun Devils' postseason drive, driving for key baskets and stepping up defensively to halt comebacks. She is surrounded by solid shooters in Kelley King and Michelle Garcia, inside power in 6-foot Jenny Harmon and the charging grace of Antonieta Gabriel.
James River was upset by Clover Hill in the Central Region championship. Junior Katie Tracy, just 5-5, takes on Colebank. Tracy could be able to slip around the taller Colebank. Garcia, also 5-5, may be called on to play Tracy.
Salem has plenty of experience from a state title run two years ago to set against a young Rapids' team.
At Ashe Center in Richmond, Eastern Region runner-up Kempsville (26-3) faces off against Central Region winner Clover Hill (18-5). Kempsville is loaded with shooters, with Erin Duckett, Carrie Heath and Melissa Kristofak posting up in 3-point country and Toni Patillo, Charlette Fayton and Kristin Cholewa piercing the lane.
Clover Hill relies on Katie Marsh, Serena Hampton and Jessica Morton on offense and sets up in a zone defense. MEMO: Staff writers Jami Frankenberry and Rea Farmer contributed to this
story.
by CNB