THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 12, 1996 TAG: 9601120623
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
There are Hoop Dreams and there are Hoop Miracles. Oscar Smith is living one and hoping for the other.
The perennially downbeat Tigers are 6-4 and ranked No. 10 entering tonight's game at Wilson. Better yet, they lead the Southeastern District at 4-0.
Oscar Smith hasn't had a winning season since 1983-84 (that's the dream) and hasn't won a district title since 1976 (the miracle).
The seeds of this season's success were planted in last year's 10-12 record. The Tigers' started 0-5 in the district, but rallied to finish 6-8.
``Some of these kids have been with us for awhile,'' Tigers' coach Sandy Williams said. ``They are unselfish, they play hard and maximize their chances.''
The Tigers' play an uptempo, pressing style and are averaging 67.7 points per game. Levar Griffin leads the team in scoring at 15.5 points per game, followed by Jamar Lewis at 13.1, Moses Johnson at 11.9 and Mydrione Halsey at 10.7.
There are occasions when Williams has no one taller than 6-feet on the floor, although the 6-3 Halsey and 6-2 Tyrone Williams must play well if the Tigers are to contend for a title.
That became a real possibility when Oscar Smith upset then top-ranked Indian River 60-58 last month. That broke a 24-game losing streak to the Braves, dating to Jan. 27, 1984.
It was also Williams' first win over the Braves in 21 tries. A winning season would be a first for the veteran coach, who has been at his post longer than anyone in the district except for Great Bridge's Martin Oliver.
``As far as personal things go, that's irrelevant. It's not my team,'' Williams said, making a nod toward his players, ``it's their team.''
TORTOISE AND THE HARE: Norcom is 0-7, marking the third consecutive season the Greyhounds have stumbled out of the gate. Norcom started 0-10 two seasons ago and 0-4 last season. . . . Maury's 13-0 start is its best since 1984-85. The Commodores began 19-0 that season before losing to Booker T. Washington 67-58. Maury finished 21-3. . . . Maury's hot start has helped the Eastern District comprise an area-best 35-15 record against non-district opponents. Eastern teams are 19-4 against the Southeastern District and 10-7 against the Beach District. The Beach District is 20-23 against non-district opponents, the Southeastern is 14-29.
SPOTLIGHT ON SMITH: This might be Cape Henry's best team ever and a big reason is senior guard Kinte Smith. He averages 23.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 3.6 blocks and 3.3 steals per game for the 9-4 Dolphins.
He was the MVP of tournaments at Walsingham and Christchurch and made the all-tournament team at Atlantic Shores.
Smith, a fifth-year senior who played his first two seasons at First Colonial, hasn't scored fewer than 18 points and hit his season high of 30 against Trinity Episcopal, ranked No. 1 among state private schools.
Smith, who surpassed the 1,000-point plateau this season, is academically qualified and has received a scholarship offer from Towson State.
``He leads the team in every category but free-throw shooting and assists and I don't think he's played his best basketball yet,'' Cape Henry coach Dave Cameron said.
THE 1,000 CLUB: Tallwood's Rian Everett and Booker T. Washington's Dewayne Jacobs should be the next area players to crack the 1,000-point barrier. Everett has 976, Jacobs 963. Other players with a good shot at 1,000 are Atlantic Shores' Kenny Inge (865) and Green Run's Plaxico Burress (803). Greenbrier Christian's Heath Burris (1,099) and Cape Henry's Smith (1,073) passed 1,000 earlier this season. by CNB