
DATE: Wednesday, February 26, 1997          TAG: 9702260693

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C7   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY REA McLEROY, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE                        LENGTH:   63 lines

OSCAR SMITH HAPPY WITH 1ST-EVER REGION WIN AND LOOKING FOR MORE

There was a celebration going on at Oscar Smith Tuesday.

Doors were covered with ``You Go Girls'' signs. Girls basketball coach Patty Walsh was wearing a corsage. Her players were graciously accepting compliments from classmates, teachers, janitors . . . anybody who happened into the building. The spirit was catching.

The Oscar Smith girls basketball team had made history Monday night when it posted its first Eastern Region win ever and everyone wanted in on the celebration.

As a result of the 51-34 victory over arch-rival Churchland, the Tigers will be making their first appearance in a region semifinal tonight at 6 at Churchland when they try to extend a 21-game win streak against Menchville (24-0). A win would give Oscar Smith (23-1) another first - a berth in the state tournament. A loss would end one of the finest seasons in school history.

Kempsville (24-2) plays Booker T. Washington (23-1) at 7:45 in the other semifinal at Churchland.

``It's exciting,'' Tiger junior Sharnnia Artis said. ``There's more spirit around the school. Everybody's up. Everybody's winning.''

Artis, a 5-foot-7 guard, has been a crucial element in Oscar Smith's postseason run. Averaging 7.8 points per game, she scored 20 against Great Bridge to keep the Tigers alive in the Southeastern District semifinal, then tallied a team-high 12 Monday.

``I just want to win,'' Artis modestly said of her newfound success.

Although she averaged 9.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 4.0 steals per game in the regular season, Artis' biggest contribution has been her leadership on and off the court. The selfless player prides herself on defense, not flashy offense, and entered the season intent on helping develop her game and that of her teammates.

``I wanted to improve myself and be more of a leader on the team,'' she said. ``I want to set an example, especially for Joetta (Thorpe) because she's the youngest on the team.''

Artis carries her leadership role beyond the court. The 4.0-plus student spends her spare time tutoring her teammates or just listening to them. She is described by Walsh as polite and courteous - until she gets on the court.

Tonight's matchup against undefeated Menchville, currently ranked No. 9 in the country by USA Today, brings three future Division I players and a healthy reputation to the game. Oscar Smith brings a tenacious defense and a belief that the game is won on the court, not on reputation.

``I'm not nervous at all,'' Artis said. ``We play solid defense - that wins the game.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Photo]

L. TOOD SPENCER

Sharnnia Artis, left, who averages 7.8 points per game, scored a

team-high 12 points in Monday's win over Churchland, continuing her

productive postseason. She scored 20 against Great Bridge in the

Districts.

TONIGHT

at Churchland

Game 1: Oscar Smith (23-1) vs. Menchville (24-0), 6 p.m.

Game 2: Kempsville (24-2) vs. Booker T. Washington (23-1), 7:45

p.m.