THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 19, 1997 TAG: 9701190217
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA McLEROY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 71 lines
Dwan Riddick menaced the Princess Anne Cavaliers' top dogs Saturday night, forcing key turnovers and throwing powerhouse Okeshia Howard off her offensive game.
Riddick was the determining factor for Salem as they posted a 42-34 upset over second-ranked Princess Anne.
``I thought it was about our fifth or sixth great defensive game in a row,'' Salem coach Larry Bowman said. ``I'm used to having teams that score 50 to 60 points, but with this team 40 or 50 is enough to win. It really starts with Dwan. She's always the player on the toughest kids.''
The toughest kids Saturday were Suawana Taylor and Howard. Riddick took turns with each and stepped up her play in the fourth quarter.
Fifth-ranked Salem led 35-25 in the fourth quarter. The Cavaliers were going to Howard for 3-pointers and putting Salem players on the line in an attempt to battle back into contention. Riddick grabbed three steals on four plays then hit two key free throws in the final minute to put the game out of reach.
``I knew we had to stop Okeshia and Suawana, so I just went out there and tried to do my best,'' Riddick said. ``I knew they would try to get the ball to Okeshia, so I tried to read where she would be.''
Riddick and the Sun Devils pressing defense threw the Cavaliers off their normally high-scoring game. Howard struggled from the perimeter and Princess Anne failed to capitalize when penetrating the Sun Devils' zone. Howard's third-quarter basket was the only field goal for the Cavaliers in the second half.
Michelle Garcia hit three 3-pointers early to give Salem (12-3, 8-3 Beach District) the lead it seldom relinquished. Princess Anne led only twice in the game. Garcia closed the game with 15 and Riddick scored 10. Howard scored 12 for the Cavaliers (11-2, 9-2).
In other games:
Great Bridge 60, Lake Taylor 42: Charndra Lewis had 20 points and 21 rebounds the visiting Wildcats sank 20 of 23 free throws (87 percent) to upend the No. 7 Titans. Juritus Thompson had 16 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals for Lake Taylor, which shot 20 percent (13 for 65) from the field.
First Colonial 55, Cox 41: The Patriots pitched an 11-0 shutout in the third quarter in upsetting the No. 9 Falcons. Alija Pittenger, Jodi Bierman and Hope Breckenridge combined for 41 of First Colonial's 55 points. Dee Taylor scored 15 for Cox.
Kempsville 53, Tallwood 34: Two steals by Toni Patillo sparked a 19-2 fourth-quarter run by the No. 1 Chiefs, who closed out the victory over the No. 10 Lions by scoring the final 13 points. Patillo added another steal in the final two minutes and finished with six to go along with eight rebounds. Erin Duckett led Kempsville with 14 points. Heather Kinstler scored 13 for Tallwood.
Bayside 60, Green Run 41: The Marlins increased their defensive pressure in the second half and outscored the Stallions 37-14 to open up a close game. Aretha Williams scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds, Steffany Atkison added 15 points and Patrice Knight had 10 rebounds. Dalchon Brown scored 24 points for Green Run.
Kellam 47, Ocean Lakes 36: Hayley Maloney led the Knights with 10 points. McKeesha Tann scored 16 points for the Dolphins. ILLUSTRATION: L. TODD SPENCER
Salem's Michelle Garcia, right, rejects a shot by Princess Anne's
Okeisha Howard. The Sun Devils' defensive pressure took it's toll on
the second-ranked Cavaliers as Salem came away with a 42-34 victory
Saturday. ``I thought it was about our fifth or sixth great
defensive game in a row,'' Salem coach Larry Bowman said.