THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 10, 1996 TAG: 9603100210
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
Clover Hill counted on a solid 3-point-shooting Kempsville team. A team that could be contained by a 1-2-2 zone.
What the Cavaliers did not plan for was Kempsville's tenacity.
Consequently, the Chiefs (27-3) played like the state champions they hope to become, dismissing Clover Hill 59-38 in a Group AAA state girls basketball quarterfinal Saturday night at the Ashe Center.
Experience proved to be a key as the Chiefs, returning to the state playoffs for the second straight year, faced first-timer Clover Hill.
The Chiefs quickly pounced on the Cavaliers for a 13-2 first-quarter lead that climbed to 36-7 at the half. Clover Hill netted its first basket almost four minutes into the game, then failed to find the hoop for the next 13:39.
Meanwhile, senior Kristin Cholewa and junior Carrie Heath repeatedly stormed past Clover Hill defenders for layups or short jumpers. Heath sparked the Chiefs with 14 points, all in the first half, and 11 rebounds.
``I was just trying to stay focused,'' Heath said. ``I knew we had more experience and more bench. . . . Our goal was to stay focused.''
The Chiefs were unflappable early, forcing 19 Clover Hill first-half turnovers. The Cavaliers rarely got a second look at the basket as Kempsville grabbed a 38-16 rebounding advantage.
``Our defense was phenomenal in the first half,'' Kempsville coach Greg Dunn said. ``I don't think (Clover Hill has) seen anything like that. We had great control offensively. We had the perimeter shooting down. When we have that, I'll play anybody and take my chances.''
Kempsville' chances were numerous. When Clover Hill tried to charge back into the game in the second-half, Kempsville senior Charlette Fayton stepped up to thwart the surge. Fayton back-to-back 3-pointers en route to scoring 12 of her 19 points in the third quarter.
``Charlette is tremendous,'' Dunn said. ``The experience factor was big.''
Heath said the Cavaliers' 16-point third-quarter brought flashbacks of Kempsville's regional struggle against Churchland. Kempsville led by 18 points, but the Truckers cut the gap to one late in the game.
``It felt like a rerun of Churchland,'' she said. ``I was trying to help keep the intensity up. I think we showed those Richmond folks what we're all about.''
Clover Hill coach Phill Villiott agreed. His first chance to see the Chiefs in action was Saturday night.
``Kempsville is very talented,'' he said. ``They should go very far in the state. They are well-coached with good players. . . . I was surprised by their quickness. And defense.''
Jessica Morton paced the Cavaliers (18-6) with 10 points.
Kempsville will play James Robinson, a 64-46 winner over Gar-Field, Thursday at 4:30 at the Vines Center in Lynchburg. The Chiefs were eliminated by Robinson in last year's state semifinals.
KEMPSVILLE (27-3): Cholewa 9, Heath 14, Duckett 6, Fayton 19, Patillo 0, Kristofak 3, Henn 3, Elliot 4, Williamson 1, Nichols 0, Sciortino 0, Willis 0, Archibald 0. Totals 21 12-18 59.
CLOVER HILL (18-6): Marsh 9, Jaeger 2, Jes. Morton 10, Mattice 3, Hampton 3, Coleman 2, Trappell 2, Roberts 2, Roberts 0, Vaughan 4, A. Morton 1, Bell 0, Jen. Morton 0, Campbell 1. Totals 11 16-22 38.
Kempsville 13 23 16 7 - 59
Clover Hill 2 5 16 15 - 38
3-point goals: Duckett, Fayton 2, Kristofak, Henn, Marsh 2. Total fouls: Kempsville 21, Clover Hill 19. Fouled out: Coleman. Technical fouls: None. by CNB