THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 18, 1997 TAG: 9702180516
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA McLEROY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 53 lines
Avery Willis proved tough under pressure Monday night, scoring eight points in the final two minutes to push First Colonial to a 52-49 victory over Tallwood in the Beach District girls basketball quarterfinals at Green Run.
Willis, who scored a game-high 21 points, was a driving, penetrating force throughout the game, breaking through the Lions' defense for open layups.
She turned up the heat when it was most needed, pouring in 12 points in the fourth quarter. She grabbed tipped passes and snagged a back-breaking steal with 26 seconds remaining.
The Patriots and Lions pressed defensively and kept the score close throughout the physical matchup. With 51 seconds remaining, the Lions' Amy White hit a jumper to tie the game at 47. Willis streaked behind the defense for a layup, then Alija Pittenger stole the ball and fed White. White was fouled and hit the first free throw for a 50-47 lead.
Tallwood's Heather Kinstler, who also scored 21 points, rebounded the second shot and called timeout. The Lions were working to set up a 3-point shot for Kinstler when she slipped. Willis gained control of the ball and hit a layup for a 52-47 margin.
With five seconds left, Donita Brady hit two free throws. She immediately fouled Willis, who missed the free throw. Stephanie Kinstler rebounded and called timeout with three seconds left.
In other Beach
District girls games:
Salem 37, Cox 32: With scoring leaders Michelle Garcia and Jenny Harmon quiet offensively, coach Larry Bowman looked to the rest of his team for scoring.
The Sun Devils (17-6) took an early lead, but Cox (11-10) charged back for a 20-15 lead at the half. In the third quarter, Bowman ran a zone that offset the Falcons' offense and allowed the Sun Devils to squeeze back into the lead.
Salem missed opportunities to put the game away earlier in the fourth quarter, going 3 for 10 from the free throw line in the final two minutes. Salem's Dwan Riddick led all scorers with 12 points.
Princess Anne 67, Bayside 43: Playing without Suawana Taylor, who has been battling the flu for two weeks, the Cavaliers put a variety of lineups on the court. At times, only one or two regular-season starters were on the floor against the Marlins.
The Marlins mounted a late first-half attack to cut the deficit to two, but Princess Anne's Okeisha Howard, who posted 24 points, and Daminica Moody, who scored 12, settled the offense and the Cavaliers (18-3) rolled.
Princess Anne plays Salem on Thursday night at 5:45 at Ocean Lakes.
Kempsville 56, Kellam 41: The Chiefs emptied their bench, using 13 players in the win. Starting guard Erin Duckett, however, was not one of the 13. Coach Greg Dunn sat out Duckett as a precaution due to Duckett's shin pain. She is expected to play in Wednesday's semifinal matchup with First Colonial.