THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 12, 1995 TAG: 9502120238
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Indian River completed a regular-season sweep of Booker T. Washington Saturday night by winning a nondistrict game most would agree should be swept under the rug.
The Braves won the error-filled, cold-shooting affair, 54-49, at Booker T. Washington.
Sophomore guard David Selby scored a team-high 15 points, including two free throws with eight seconds remaining to lock it up.
Indian River, South Hampton Roads' sixth-ranked team, improved to 13-5. The Braves also beat the Bookers last month, 90-80, at Indian River.
Fifth-ranked Booker T. Washington fell to 13-5 in losing its third straight. The Bookers were ranked as high as No. 2 in the area this season and were No. 5 in the state just two weeks ago.
Indian River shot just 34.5 percent from the field (19 of 55). But that was better than the Bookers' 32.7 percent (17 of 52) accuracy.
The Bookers played without regular starter Dewayne Jacobs. The junior forward, who averages 15.7 points per game, did not dress, and coach Barry Hamler would not give a reason. But he had a reason for the Bookers' recent performances.
``We don't have a lot of continuity right now,'' Hamler said. ``We've had to discipline some of the players on our club in the last couple of weeks. I believe it is more important that people do the right things in life. I'm not here as a coach just to win a season. I'm here long-term.''
Hamler hinted that Jacobs would be back Tuesday. But what shape will the Bookers be in when they go to Lake Taylor High to face Granby?
A loss Tuesday night would eliminate the Bookers from Eastern District regular-season title contention.
``We played a great two-thirds of a season,'' Hamler said. ``The only thing we've got to understand is the importance of Tuesday night.''
Was there a bright spot for the Bookers on Saturday?
``Nobody can make us play any faster than we want to,'' Hamler said. ``We controlled (the tempo of) the ballgame.''
Guards Kenny Brown and Ashley Berry finished with 17 and 14 points, respectively.
``(Booker T.) isn't as deep as we are,'' Indian River coach Freddie Spellman said. ``If I was him, I would have slowed it down too.''
Spellman used his depth, bringing Quintae McLean (nine points) and James Boyd (seven points) off the bench and playing them much of the second half. Point guard Doug Basnight added 10 points.
While the Bookers still have a shot at a district title, Indian River is already aiming for the Southeastern District tournament. Churchland has locked up the Southeastern regular-season title.
And despite some ragged play early on, Spellman was pleased with his team's effort down the stretch.
``The colleges and pros play some ugly ones too,'' Spellman said. ``This was a confidence builder.'' by CNB