THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 14, 1995 TAG: 9502140455
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
Granby can clinch at least a tie for the Eastern District regular-season boys basketball title tonight with a victory over Booker T. Washington at Lake Taylor. The game has been moved from Granby to accommodate what is expected to be a large crowd.
Granby is No. 4 in the South Hampton Roads rankings while Booker T. Washington is sixth.
The Comets, 5-2 in the Eastern District, are tied with Maury and lead Booker T. by a half-game heading into the final week of the regular season.
Granby finishes its district schedule against Booker T. On Friday, the Bookers host Norview and Maury visits Lake Taylor.
The Bookers (13-5 overall) have lost three straight, and coach Barry Hamler hopes his team's mental approach has been corrected after he dished out a series of suspensions over the last three weeks.
Junior forward Dewayne Jacobs (15.7 points per game), who sat out last Friday's loss to Lake Taylor for unspecified reasons, is expected back.
``One of the things kids have to understand is that what they do affects more than just them,'' Hamler said.
Jacobs is one of four Bookers averaging in double figures for the area's top-scoring team. Forward Shawn Wilson averages a team-high 20.3 per game while guards Kenny Brown and Ashley Berry average 16.7 and 12.2, respectively. The Bookers average 77.7 points per game.
Granby is the area's second-highest scoring team at 72 points per game and counters with the area's leading scorer in guard/forward Shawn Hobson (21.3 ppg). Senior forward Toweh Ketter is averaging 11.9 points.
The Comets haven't had the easiest time of it themselves. Coach Jim Harvey was suspended for unspecified reasons by the Norfolk public schools last Wednesday, with an investigation pending. Assistant principal Tim Sweeney, who last coached at Norfolk Catholic in the early 1980s, has taken over the program.
Ironically, Hamler and Sweeney had a run-in last season when Sweeney was working the game clock during Granby's 92-90 victory over Booker T. at Granby. Sweeney contends Hamler questioned his competence to game officials.
An investigation resulted in Hamler receiving a two-game suspension from the Eastern District. But the Virginia High School League overturned the suspension, ruling that only the school, not the district, could suspend Hamler.
``I'm looking forward to coaching against Booker T. Washington and Mr. Hamler,'' Sweeney said. ``I'm confident Mr. Hamler is looking forward to coaching against Mr. Sweeney.''
Hamler said he hadn't given it any thought until asked about it.
``I'm not as concerned about coaching against Tim Sweeney as I am playing against Shawn Hobson,'' Hamler said.
In girls basketball, Churchland can clinch the Southeastern District championship with a victory at home over Deep Creek. The Truckers lead the Hornets and Great Bridge by one game with one to play.
Deep Creek can force a playoff by beating the Truckers. Great Bridge visits Norcom and could force a three-way tie by beating the Greyhounds.
Lake Taylor (6-0) can wrap up the Eastern District title with a victory at Norview. The Titans lead Booker T. Washington by two games with two to play. Booker T. plays Granby at Lake taylor. by CNB