THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 22, 1997 TAG: 9702220623
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA McLEROY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: 49 lines
Toot Young shut out the crowd. He focused on the basket and made one of two free throws with 5.2 seconds remaining.
The Lake Taylor fans at Wilson High began celebrating before Norview got its final shot off. Young's free throw had made the shot pointless and sealed the Titans' 55-51 Eastern District championship victory over Norview.
Lake Taylor coach John Kelly swooped his players up off the floor in celebration. Norview players overcame their disappointment at having a seven-game win streak snapped by heartily congratulating the Titans outside the locker room, wishing them luck in the regional appearance the Pilots barely missed.
Lake Taylor (18-6) travels to Indian River Monday night at 7 for the opening game in the Eastern Region tournament.
The Titans were in front 47-38 entering the fourth quarter, but had trouble with the Pilots' pressing defense.
``We started to panic a little bit under the pressure,'' Kelly said. ``We knew if we could get ourselves together, we'd start getting back.''
Norview cut the deficit to 53-51 when Melvin Williams drew a foul on a jumper and made the free throw. The Titans did regroup as Young hit four of six free throws down the stretch and a jumper for six of the Titans eight fourth-quarter points. His free throw with 33 seconds to go pushed the gap to three, then his final free throw iced the win.
``My coach tells us to just think about like we're in practice,'' Young said of the pressure free throws. ``Focus on the basket and don't listen to the crowd.''
The Titans grabbed a seven-point first-half lead that carried them through the turbulent fourth quarter.
``I thought that we really did give it our all in the first half,'' Kelly said. ``We played a tough half of intense defense that allowed us to weather the storm at the end.''
Young sparked the early drive, scoring 14 of the Titans' 32 first-half points.
``It was teamwork all the way,'' Young said. ``My team got me open early. We came to play as a team and keep it unselfish.''
Young closed the game with 20 points and Amar Mays added 16.
David Martin led the Norview effort with 20 points. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
L. TODD SPENCER
Toot Young of Lake Taylor soars for a basket. In the final seconds,
his clutch free throw clinched the win.