THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 7, 1997 TAG: 9702071026
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: BOYS BASKETBALL REPORT
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 68 lines
Indian River's James Boyd, expected to be a defensive standout for Penn State's football team in the near future, can defend on the basketball court as well.
He most recently turned in solid defensive efforts against inside terrors Arnie Powell of Deep Creek and Terry Gray of Booker T. Washington.
But can he step outside and hang with Nansemond River hotshot Antoine Willie? That's the key matchup tonight at 7:30 when the Braves host the Warriors.
Willie, the runaway leading scorer in the area, scorched Hickory for 41 points Tuesday night and averages 28.6 points a game.
A victory would lift the Warriors into a first-place tie with the Braves in the Southeastern District with two league games remaining.
The Braves (13-5, 10-2 Southeastern) have won six straight and eight of nine. The Warriors (13-4, 9-3) have won five in a row, including a 64-61 win over the Braves in Suffolk.
So concerned was Braves coach Freddie Spellman about the challenges posed by the Warriors that he allowed himself little time to celebrate Wednesday's 68-61 victory over No. 1 Booker T. Washington.
``I'll enjoy this for about 15 minutes,'' Spellman said. ``Then I'm going to go home, pop a tape in and start getting ready for Nansemond River.''
FACE IN THE CROWD: Atlantic Shores' center/forward Jed Hall is pictured defending against Mt. Zion Christian (N.C.) star Tracy McGrady on page 43 of the Feb. 10 issue of Sports Illustrated. The magazine has a feature story on McGrady, who has led Mt. Zion to a No. 2 national ranking and is considering going from high school straight to the NBA.
The Seahawks fell 92-44 when the teams met in Durham on Jan. 10. The Mighty Warriors visit Atlantic Shores Feb. 18.
STEPPING UP: Kempsville's players took hard the news that they'd have to forfeit two games for using an ineligible player, and it showed in the first quarter of Tuesday night's game against Princess Anne. The Chiefs scored only eight points in the first eight minutes while committing eight turnovers.
``Did it affect us? You bet it did,'' Kempsville coach Vernon King said. ``We couldn't even hold onto the ball.''
The Chiefs snapped out of their funk quickly. With McKinley Ford scoring a game-high 23 points, the Chiefs enjoyed a 23-point second quarter and hung on for a 59-55 victory.
``I'm very proud of these guys,'' King said. ``A lot has happened over the past 48 hours, but our seniors wouldn't let themselves quit.''
RIM SHOTS: Eastern District teams will face Southeastern District opponents and the Peninsula squares off against the Beach in first-round action when the Eastern Region tournament gets under way at each district's top seed Feb. 24. The semifinals and final will follow at Churchland. . . . The Bookers' loss Wednesday will almost certainly vault No. 2 John Marshall to the top of The Associated Press poll. The Justices, the lone remaining undefeated team in Group AAA, are 17-0 and heavily favored to beat Thomas Jefferson-Richmond tonight . . . Next Friday - Valentine's Day - Menchville will take on Hampton in a game that probably will decide the Peninsula District. Both teams are 14-3 with three games remaining. . . . The Great Bridge basketball team will take a joint CPR class Saturday afternoon. On Jan. 29, CPR was credited with probably saving the life of the Wildcats' Stephen Parker, who collapsed on court in a game against Hickory. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
[James Boyd]