THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 30, 1997 TAG: 9701290129
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MICHELLE SCHLOFF, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 56 lines
Up to this point, the Peninsula has simply rocked the boat against western Tidewater boys basketball teams Franklin, Southampton and Smithfield.
Franklin, 5-6, 2-5 in the Bay Rivers District through Monday, has certainly hit some rough seas crossing the water. Illness and injuries have been the factors that have almost pushed their heads under water.
Junior center Andy Page is out with a knee injury and lung problems.
``I've been plagued with injuries and the flu,'' Bronco coach James Jones said. ``Semester break should have put everyone full speed ahead.''
Despite ailments, Franklin has tried to keep a tight ship. Senior forwards Brian Barrett and Xavier Scott, along with senior guard Chris Skinner, have given Franklin consistency in the lineup but they are just starting to mold as a team midway through the season.
``I haven't seen a bad team yet,'' Jones said. ``Bruton is so tough with the seniors they have. We are just going to have to look for continuity and take advantage of our size.''
Smithfield (1-14, 0-8) is still learning to swim. ``We are playing competitively but we just can't seem to get over the top to get the `W','' Packer coach Steve Edwards said.
Tight games are the routine for Smithfield. Most of the Packers' losses have been by 7-10 points, including a 10-point loss to first-place Bruton.
Edwards has looked to junior guard Terrence Hicks to navigate the offense. To this point, Hicks is averaging 11 points per game and is Smithfield's most prized ammunition.
``We are confident that we could beat everybody,'' Edwards said. ``We've seen them all and we know we can play competitively.''
With the best record of the three, Southampton (12-3 overall, 7-1 Bay Rivers) has had the big offense and the best floating ship.
With seven games to go, Gregg Scott, the 6-foot-5 Boo Williams summer-league bound junior center and heavily recruited football player has led the Indians with 20 points and 16 rebounds per game. Scott scored eight of his game-high 26 points in overtime during Friday's 81-80 victory over Grafton.
``For only starting organized ball in the eighth grade we've had to do a lot of work with him,'' coach Randy Jessee said. ``People would always take the ball from him and he had to learn how to square up to the bucket.''
Also helping the cause are senior Rico Ivey, a forward averaging 18 points, and twin guards Phil and Jeff Watkins.
``I will expect big things from these kids next season,'' Jessee said.
Until now, Southampton has only lost to two foes - Bruton and Surry.
The Indians lost a tough one to Bruton by 11. The Indians were up by five at halftime and Bruton hit six three-pointers in the second half for the win.
The other battle scars were given by Surry, when the Indians lost the first matchup 115-112 in double overtime and the second 87-86. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Scott