THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 28, 1995 TAG: 9502280360
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 47 lines
If there is such a thing as the tougher side of an Eastern Region draw, Churchland coach Mac Carroll believes his Truckers found it.
Defending champion Churchland opens tonight with first-time participant Tallwood in the quarterfinals. If the Truckers win, they will face Kecoughtan, last year's region runner-up, or 20-game winner Granby in the semifinals with a bid to the state tournament riding on the outcome.
``Anybody who's in our side got the tougher side of the draw,'' Carroll said. ``Of course, the draw is predetermined and that's the way it's always going to be.
``Two years ago the two best teams in the tournament were in the same side of the draw and one of them had to stay home when the state tournament came around.''
Both regional finalists advance to the eight-team state tournament. Two years ago, a Joe Smith-led Maury squad missed the state tournament after losing to Allen Iverson-led Bethel, 52-50, in the regional semifinals.
What makes Churchland's half of the draw tougher is the presence of Kecoughtan. The Warriors were favored to win the Peninsula District regular-season title, but finished in a second-place tie with Hampton and Warwick.
Kecoughtan then marched through the Peninsula District tournament, beating Hampton, 64-49, in the final to make the regional tournament.
Meanwhile, surprise Peninsula champion Menchville, which doesn't have a starting player over 6-foot-1, lost in the opening round of its district tournament to eighth-place Tabb, 54-51.
Menchville draws Maury in the opening round and Maury coach Jack Baker isn't considering his half of the draw ``an easy half. When you get this far, nothing's easy.'' The other game in that half of the draw pits Indian River against Bayside.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS: Five South Hampton Roads teams open play tonight at 7 in the Virginia Independent School tournaments.
Atlantic Shores (23-8) is host to St. Anne's-Belfield (12-12) in the only game locally. Elsewhere, Catholic (16-12) is at Trinity Episcopal (24-7), Norfolk Christian (18-9) is at Collegiate (18-7), Nansemond-Suffolk (18-7) is at Benedictine (17-11) and Rock Church (22-7) is at Huguenot Academy (23-3). by CNB