THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 23, 1995 TAG: 9502230489
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
An awesome 34-point scoring outburst by Kizzy Dunbar powered Oscar Smith to a 70-60 upset victory over regular-season champion Churchland in the Southeastern District girls basketball semifinals Wednesday night.
It was the first home-court loss of the year for Churchland (18-6), ending an 11-game winning streak for the Truckers, South Hampton Roads' No. 2 ranked team.
In the other semifinal, Great Bridge defeated Indian River, 59-42, setting up a Friday night championship game that will determine the district's No. 2 Eastern Region tournament entry.
If Churchland had won, Great Bridge automatically would have gained the berth. But Great Bridge coach Ro Moore was the first to reach Oscar Smith coach Patty Walsh to shake her hand after the game, while the Tigers celebrated at midcourt as though they were already champions.
Only two nights earlier Dunbar, a 5-7 senior guard, had scored a season-high 23 points in leading the Tigers past Western Branch.
She surpassed that achievement by hitting 10 of 16 shots, including four of five 3-point attempts, and 10 of 14 free throws. She connected on her last nine foul shots.
``I knew I was scoring well but I didn't have any idea I had that many points,'' Dunbar said. ``I came into this game just praying we would win, and I knew we could do it if we played our best. I think our hard defense was just as important as my points.''
``Thirty-four,'' said her coach. ``I thought Kizzy had all our points.''
So did Churchland coach Duke Conrad. ``Listen, she was unconscious,'' he said. ``She couldn't miss on 3-pointers, and she hit two baskets even after we fouled her. She was just unstoppable.
``I was pleased with the way we came back after falling 16 behind, but we just dug too deep a hole.''
Oscar Smith (16-9) moved in front for the first time at 26-24 on a 3-pointer by (who else) Dunbar with 1:56 left in the half. The Tigers widened the lead to 34-26 at intermission and never looked back.
Only 2:07 remained in the third quarter when Churchland fell 16 behind at 47-31 and started its rally.
The Truckers twice pulled within four in the closing period - at 48-44 and 50-46. Dunbar's 9-for-9 free-throw shooting in the closing quarter kept the Tigers in command. Reserve Sharnia Artis also contributed two big field goals.
Center Chavita Mathews chipped in 13 points for the Tigers. Foward Kim Elliot, the standout in the losing cause, scored 18 points. Nicole Council fired in 17 for Churchland but made only one of her last 10 shots.
Lashelle Griffin sparked Great Bridge's victory, pumping in 22 points, one shy of her career high.
``I had only two points against Wilson in our first tournament game and I had to make up for that,'' the 5-8 junior said.
The Wildcats (18-6) jumped to a 7-0 lead and never trailed. Jill Ferguson added 13 points.
Quiana White scored 16 for Indian River (11-13).
The championship game on Friday will be at Churchland at 6 p.m.
BEACH DISTRICT
Kempsville blew out Bayside, 79-49, to remain undefeated.
The Chiefs (24-0) will play the winner of tonight's second semifinal between Salem and Princess Anne on Friday night at Tallwood for the title.
Lori Henn scored 16 points and led four Chiefs in double figures. Henn made four 3-pointers, matching her career high set in Monday's quarterfinals.
``I guess I'm just in a zone,'' Henn said.
Kempsville outscored Bayside, 22-7, in the second quarter to seize a 38-17 lead. The Chiefs opened the quarter with an 8-0 run and finished it with a 9-0 knockout punch.
Kempsville shot 47 percent from the field and was at 52 percent before coach Greg Dunn cleared his bench with 5 1/2 minutes to play. The Chiefs were 13 of 17 at the line and outrebounded the Marlins, 47-40.
Erin Duckett added 13 points, Toni Patillo had 11 points and eight rebounds and Carrie Johnson had 10 points, 11 rebounds and two blocked shot.
Carolyn Zanelli led Bayside with 15. The Marlins were 12 of 32 from the line.
EASTERN DISTRICT
Shwante Snead scored 29 points, making 15-of-20 free throw attempts, as Maury downed Booker T. Washington, 47-39, in a semifinal game at Lake Taylor High.
The Commodores led by five, 23-18, at halftime and Booker T. never got closer as Snead scored 18 second-half points.
The Commodores will meet Lake Taylor Friday at Lake Taylor in the tournament final.
Maury (8-12) also qualifies for the Eastern Region girls tournament as the district's second representative and will visit Peninsula District champion Menchville Monday in a quarterfinal game.
Booker T. (7-10) was paced by Cheria Askew's 22 points. by CNB