THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 14, 1996 TAG: 9601120180
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
BRIAN AND JAMAR Lewis of Oscar Smith share more than just a last name.
The cousins, who are both seniors, also have a passion for sports that has had them at odds for most of their lives.
Brian and Jamar have been going head-to-head for the same positions in football, basketball and baseball for much of their athletic careers.
But the Tigers' 4-0 start in the Southeastern District basketball race has the cousins finally sharing the same position on one thing: They're convinced Oscar Smith has what it takes to keep winning.
``Coach (Sandy Williams) has put in it our heads that we can be winners,'' Jamar said. ``We want to win.''
Ever since Brian and Jamar were 8 years old, playing on the courts in the West Munden section of Chesapeake, they were motivated by winning.
``We used to always be on the same teams when we were younger,'' Brian said of his pickup games with his cousin. ``Nobody could beat us.''
But one-on-one competition was a different story.
``We used to argue and fight a lot,'' Jamar said. ``We played hard. Nobody wanted to lose.''
Now at 17, Jamar and Brian are the best of friends, but still hate to lose. And battling for the same starting positions doesn't make things any easier.
``I'm competitive anyway,'' Jamar said. ``As long as one of us gets the starting position it's all right. By me working hard, it makes him work harder.''
The competition started back in the recreation leagues when Jamar and Brian were pitted against each other on different teams for the first time.
``Our family was always there,'' Brian said. ``They'd say, `It's Brian against Jamar again.' They thought we should've been on the same team so we didn't have to beat each other.''
That all changed with the seasons. The cousins moved on to football, where Jamar had the obvious edge.
``I got cut two years in a row in junior high,'' Brian said. ``And he made it. Everyone in the neighborhood made it except me. I felt real bad. But it made me work harder. It made me quicker and stronger.''
Brian's efforts finally paid off his sophomore year when he earned the starting job at quarterback. But near the end of his junior season, he lost the job - to Jamar, who's kept the spot while Brian moved to defensive back. Surprisingly, Brian doesn't seem to mind.
``We're always battling,'' he said. ``But it's different than battling one of your friends. You don't think of battling your family. You don't try to beat them like you would somebody else. You try to do everything the same.''
But, Brian admits, their basketball skills are quite different and seem to complement the Tigers' offensive needs.
Jamar, a 6-foot-1 1/2 point guard who averages 13.1 points per game, is the starting Lewis, while the 5-10 Brian comes off the bench as shooting guard and has had limited opportunity to score.
``We used to be the same height,'' Brian said. ``But then he sprouted up. He's a better basketball player.''
Brian and Jamar, both enjoying the Tigers' first winning season in basketball since 1983-84, are also looking forward to the spring when they can work together in the baseball outfield instead of matching up against each other on the court during practice.
Brian, who missed baseball last year with a broken ankle, plays left field and Jamar plays center.
But for now, the two are content with the Tigers' success, even if one Lewis remains in the shadow of the other.
After all, there's still those one-on-one games in the neighborhood.
``I get a thrill taking it to him,'' Brian said. ``If I score on someone else, it's OK. But when I take Jamar, then I feel good.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by PATTI WALSH
Cousins Brian and Jamar Lewis, left, of Oscar Smith are battling for
the same position on the basketball team.
by CNB