DATE: Saturday, March 1, 1997               TAG: 9703010678

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C6   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY REA McLEROY, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH                        LENGTH:   53 lines

MENCHVILLE GIRLS LIVE UP TO NO. 7 NATIONAL RANKING MONARCHS RIP KEMPSVILLE FOR EASTERN CROWN.

ShaVohn McKinnon took the opening tipoff, drove to the basket and scored. Minutes later, the Menchville senior grabbed a blocked shot and scored a 3-pointer.

McKinnon stayed in top form throughout the game, scoring 26 points to pace the Monarchs to a 65-41 victory over Kempsville in the Eastern Region girls basketball championship Friday night at Churchland.

The undefeated Monarchs, ranked No. 7 by USA Today, will host the Central Region runner-up in the AAA state tournament next Saturday at 6 p.m. at Churchland. Kempsville (25-3) travels to face the Central Region champion. The Central Region championship is tonight.

McKinnon, who has already committed to VCU, kept the Monarchs on track.

``We came out and tried to stay focused,'' she said. ``From playing with the Kempsville girls in AAU, we knew what to expect. That got us pumped up. We tried to control the tempo.''

The Monarchs (26-0) did just that. Using their superior overall size and speed, Menchville kept the Chiefs either out of the lane or forced turnovers and bad shots when Kempsville did penetrate. At times, the Chiefs seemed to have figured the defense and would make a run, but Menchville slipped into its game plan and 3-point threats Angela Jordan and Shelly Tolbert got hot late to clinch the win.

``Our girls were mentally prepared, were mentally tough, played great defense and boxed out well and played great offense,'' Menchville coach Phil Forbes said. ``I think we proved that we are not a one-dimensional team. ''

Menchville, noted for having All-American Chalois Lias, proved to have an arsenal of talent. Sophomore point guard Michelle Rodriguez ran a variety of offenses, controlling the tempo and keeping the Chiefs' defense off balance.

Jordan stepped up in the second half, tallying a three-point play when she stole a pass, scored and hit the free throw after she was fouled on the layup. She hit a 3-pointer on the next play and another trey two plays later as the Monarchs went on an 8-3 run for a 34-18 lead. She ended the game with 13 points.

Kempsville was able to penetrate early, but missed key short jumpers and layups. The Chiefs continually turned the ball over inside early, then struggled with their normally solid 3-point game.

``We didn't play as smart as I had hoped,'' Kempsville coach Greg Dunn said. ``We had to offset their athleticism with intelligence and discipline. We did not play as disciplined as I had hoped. I think we can play better than that. I know we can play smarter.'' ILLUSTRATION: BILL TIERNAN/The Virginian-Pilot

Menchville assistant coach Lisa Molineaux embraces Chalois Lias,

left, and Candice Edwards in the closing seconds of Friday's 65-41

victory.

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