THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 26, 1997 TAG: 9701240248
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 35 lines
The schools have changed district and classification but the importance of Nansemond River vs. Lakeland remains when the two meet Tuesday night.
The former Group AA Bay Rivers District foes have established themselves as powers in Group AAA's Southeastern District this season. And as usually is the case, there will be more than pride on the line when the programs meet in two days.
``They put five people on the court and we put five people on the court,'' Lakeland front-court player Afriyie Bray said. ``Each one of our girls matches up with each of their girls.''
Lakeland (7-3, 5-3) was tied for third place going into its battle against Great Bridge, which has the same district record. The Cavaliers are led by Bray and Becky Demiel.
Going into last Friday's game, the Nansemond River girls (9-2, 7-1) were tied for first place in the district with Oscar Smith. The sixth-ranked Warriors, led by Joycelyn Williams' 15.5 scoring average, traveled to sixth-place Deep Creek on Friday.
The boys matchup features a battle between two of the areas leading scorers - Nansemond River's Antoine Willie and Lakeland's Damon Tillery.
Willie was South Hampton Roads leading scorer at 29.2 going into the 10th-ranked Warriors' (9-4, 5-3) game against Deep Creek on Friday.
Tillery is the fifth-leading scorer at 19.3 points a game for the ninth-ranked Cavaliers (9-4, 4-3). The Cavaliers are in fourth place in the district while Nansemond River is a half game ahead in third.
The Warriors-Cavaliers girls game is scheduled at Nansemond River for 7:15 p.m. The boys game is schedule at Lakeland at the same time.
KEYWORDS: HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL