THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 10, 1996 TAG: 9609100487
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 38 lines
Lizzy Rice didn't realize it at the time, but the seeds for her best basketball game were sown while reflecting upon one of her worst.
Frustrated by having minimal - four points and lackluster defense - impact on Norfolk Academy's Hampton Christian tournament semifinal victory over Poquoson Friday night, the Bulldogs' junior sought the council of former coach JoAnne Renn, then kicked around the game's lowlights with team manager Qamara Wilson.
``You know,'' Rice concluded, ``I think I probably could score a few more points.''
Rice ought to think like this more often. For in the championship game 24 hours later, the 5-6 guard flipped in 21 points, two more than she'd scored in the Bulldogs' three previous games combined. She also had nine rebounds and six steals to help Norfolk Academy hold off York in overtime 70-68.
Rice's tournament finale was so spectacular that it overrode two subpar outings and vaulted her onto the All-Tournament team. But Rice quickly cautioned against expecting her to make 20-point outings routine.
``I said a little more scoring,'' Rice said.
Indeed, Rice, a reserve a year ago who now is typically matched up against the opponent's best scorer, is valued mostly for her defense. Hardly a natural shooter - ``I shoot some three-pointers, but they usually don't go in'' - Rice thrived in the open court Saturday, scoring most of her points on transition layups.
So unaccustomed to big scoring numbers is Rice that she didn't even realize what she'd done until Edwards reminded Rice of her pre-game goal.
``You did just what you said you'd do,'' the Bulldogs manager said. ``You scored 21 points.''
``I was like, `Whoa!,' '' Rice said. ``You know, I really had no idea.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by CNB