THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 8, 1997 TAG: 9702080661
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: 48 lines
Indian River's David Selby explained his slow start Friday night against Nansemond River as simply a matter of letting the game come to him.
``Then it must have been coming from Suffolk,'' Braves coach Freddie Spellman said. ``Because it sure took a long time getting here.''
Selby made it worth the wait. The electrifying 6-0 guard torched the Warriors for 15 fourth-quarter points as the Braves rallied for a 62-56 victory at Indian River and clinched the Southeastern District title.
Selby's heroics spoiled what would have been a remarkable upset by the Warriors (13-5, 9-4), who played without starters Anthony Jones (toe injury) and Antoine Willie.
Willie, the Eastern Region's leading scorer at 28.6 points a game, watched the game from the bench in street clothes after apparently being suspended by Nansemond River coach Spencer Mayfield. Mayfield angrily refused to discuss Willie's status and appeared to take offense at the idea that anyone would wonder why the two-time Group AA state player of the year was held out of the Warriors' biggest game of the season.
Asked if Willie would return to action Tuesday, Mayfield replied, ``Maybe.''
The Warriors played valiantly without him Friday. Led by super-quick guard Leroy Skinner (a team-high 11 points), Nansemond River sprinted out to a 10-point lead after one quarter.
``We figured that since Antoine wasn't playing, we were going to blow them out,'' Selby said.
Nansemond River led by two at the half, then shot 70 percent from the field to open up a seven-point advantage after three quarters.
Then Selby took over. A layup 14 seconds into the fourth quarter got him started. His steal and subequent dunk began a three-point play that put the Warriors ahead by a point. He drilled a three-pointer on his next touch. Another steal allowed him to swoop in for two more points.
And when Skinner misfired on a three-pointer, Selby elevated so high to snatch the rebound the capacity crowd began chanting, ``Selby! Selby! Selby!''
``Somebody had to step it up,'' Selby said.
James Boyd had 12 points and Antwan Stukes chipped in 11 for Indian River (14-5, 11-2), winners of eight straight. ILLUSTRATION: RICHARD L. DUNSTON/THE VRIGINIA PILOT
Indian River's David Selby pushes the ball upcourt during Friday
night action against Nansemond River.