THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 10, 1995 TAG: 9503100466
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
The Norfolk State women hope that playing at home works to their advantage when they host the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Regional this weekend.
The Spartanettes will play Wingate in the semifinals tonight at 8.
South Carolina-Spartanburg (24-5) squares off against Longwood (21-7) in the other semifinal at 6 p.m.
The Spartanettes, who have lost only two games at home this season, head into tonight's contest with a 25-4 record. The Lady Bulldogs are 23-5.
``We know we're at the stage that if you lose one you're out,'' Norfolk State coach James Sweat said. ``They know they have two hard games ahead to get out of the region. I'm very optimistic.
``If we play as well as we can play, we should be successful. Just playing at home makes it more comfortable. We've had an excellent week of practice and we're going to be at full strength. We think we're going to be in good shape.''
The Spartanettes, who return all five starters from last year's squad that advanced to the Elite Eight, love to run and don't hesitate to press the entire game.
Wingate, which is seeded fourth in the region, fell to the Spartanettes in overtime, 83-80, in last year's region final.
``They feel they're going to win,'' said Sweat of his Spartanettes, who have won the last two regional tournaments. ``We have a lot of depth and experience. My job this year has been much easier because the girls have been at this level for three years. I just give them a plan and they follow it.''
Tonight's game plan, Sweat said, will attempt to keep the Lady Bulldogs off the boards and on the run.
``They are strong inside and we have to neutralize them. We have the size this year to match up. There's not much difference among the four teams. Anyone can emerge as the champion,'' Sweat said. by CNB