THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 15, 1996 TAG: 9603150595
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
The scene should be eerily familiar tonight when Indian River meets George Washington-Danville in the Group AAA state tournament at Liberty University in Lynchburg.
This marks the second season in a row the Braves have had to face an undefeated, nationally-ranked team in the semifinals. Last year the opponent was Potomac and Indian River led much of the way before bowing 63-58.
This year George Washington is 26-0 and ranked No. 7 in the USA Today Super 25.
Hopewell plays William Fleming in the first semifinal at 7. The championship game is Saturday night at 8:45.
``I don't know anything at all about them except they are undefeated,'' Indian River coach Freddie Spellman said. ``At this point you have to play well against everybody to win.''
The Eagles use 10 players - they substitute in five-man shifts - and press fullcourt the entire game. Their best player is 6-6, 220-pound Bobby Wimbush, who averages 20.6 points and 11 rebounds per game. He often plays a high post with Tyrone Robertson (6-5, 260) on the low post.
Indian River can't match that bulk; 6-8 center Ed Seward weighs only 200.
Spellman also has been using only seven players for most of the post-season and said he may have to substitute earlier and more often to combat the Eagles' depth.
GROUP AA BOYS: Two Suffolk schools will play in state semifinal games today at Liberty. Nansemond River meets Liberty High (Bedford) at 1 p.m., while Lakeland faces Northside at 2:30. The winners meet Saturday at 2:45 p.m. for the state championship.
The Warriors (24-2) are the defending Group AA state champions. Their 72-65 quarterfinal win over Carolina on Saturday was the closest game for Nansemond River since a one-point victory over Lakeland in January.
Nansemond River beat Liberty last season in a state quarterfinal 78-68. The Minutemen (23-0) don't start a player taller than 6-foot-3, which coach Mark Hanks says could cause problems against the Warriors' strong inside game, led by Montoria Valentine averages more than 17 rebounds.
Lakeland (18-9) is appearing in the state tournament for the first time in the school's six years. Center John Ricks has averaged 18.7 points over the past three games after scoring just over 11 during the regular season.
Northside (17-8) lost in last year's state championship game to Nansemond River and has all five starters back from that team. The Vikings blew out Virginia High 68-39 in a quarterfinal, hitting 11 3-pointers.
If both Suffolk schools make it to the championship, Nansemond River has the edge. Lakeland has lost to Nansemond River five times this season, including in the Bay Rivers District tournament final and the Region I championship. by CNB