THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 24, 1997 TAG: 9701240563
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: CAMDEN LENGTH: 38 lines
It was a makeup game that Williamston would probably rather forget. Just one day after establishing itself as the leader in the Albemarle Conference, the Tigers were upset by upstart Camden County 40-38 in boys basketball action Wednesday night.
The game was made up from last week because of final exams at both schools.
The Bruins led by seven at the half and by eight after three quarters, but scored just four points in the fourth quarter as Williamston rallied. With five seconds to play and the score knotted at 38-38, Keenon Walker drove the lane and dished off to Lavar Bryant, who canned a five-foot jumper for the Camden victory.
James Walker led Camden with 12 points and Bryant scored 11 points. Jarvis Coffield scored 11 points for Williamston.
Coming into the game, Camden head coach Mark Harnly said he felt Williamston was the team to beat in the Albemarle Conference.
``They beat Roanoke the other week, and Roanoke is the defending state champion and ranked high in the state,'' Harnly said.
Harnly said two factors have helped Camden improve from last year's disastrous two-win season - a victory over Perquimans and a loss to Williamston the last game of the season.
``Our confidence grew greatly when we beat Perquimans,'' Harnly said. ``We played flawless basketball. Then we had a week off and that was a team-building week. The kids started thinking `we can do this.' ''
The Bruins were smashed 82-36 by Williamston last year in the Albemarle Conference Tournament. ``They beat us three times last year and 82-36 in the tournament,'' he said. ``I told the kids after Wednesday's game that this is for the guys who were here last year. That game was a poor way to end the season. I put that score up on the chalkboard and said that ain't going to happen again.''
The Bruins are 5-9 overall, 4-1 in the Albemarle Conference and 5-2 against 1A schools.