THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 25, 1996 TAG: 9601240188
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY SUN SPORTS EDITOR
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
THERE'S A NEW look at Lakeland this winter: Everybody in the lineup is looking to score.
The Cavaliers have four players - seniors Brian Baker, Amon Cross and John Ricks and junior Damon Tillery - averaging double figures in points per game, giving Lakeland the balanced attack it lacked last season when Sebastian Yates scored nearly 20 points per game.
``Last year we had Sebastian to go to in critical situations,'' said Ricks, who averages 10.9 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. ``This year we've got to play together so we don't get into that situation.''
``We've got to play with more teamwork because we don't have a go-to guy,'' said Tillery, who leads the Cavaliers with 16.6 points per game.
Lakeland's new philosophy has worked.
The Cavaliers are 7-5 overall and 5-1 in the district. Three of their losses have come against Group AAA teams, while they've lost two to Nansemond River, including a 54-52 heartbreaker last week.
Lakeland's players, however, aren't pleased with their performance.
``It's not the year that we could be having,'' said Baker, who averages 12.1 points per game. ``We should have won a few of those.''
Baker may be right. Against then-No. 3 Green Run, four Cavaliers players fouled out in a 67-62 loss. Last week against Nansemond River, Lakeland led by three with 2:35 left after coming back from a 12-point deficit, but the Warriors went on a 7-2 run to end the game. Baker's layup at the buzzer was blocked by the Warriors' LaShawn Pugh, giving Nansemond River the win.
``In the second half we played better,'' said Ricks, ``but the little mistakes hurt us. We weren't playing like we should have and we got too far behind.
``Since the Nansemond River game, we started a new season to come out and play like we should be playing.''
Lakeland has kept its word, beating Bruton by 14 and York by 5. Coach John Fuller said the Cavaliers have improved by turning up the defensive intensity.
``Those four know that Lakeland has always been noted as a defensive-oriented team so they've played harder on defense,'' said Fuller, whose team forces 17.8 turnovers per game. ``Lack of execution on defense has been our letdown.''
The players agreed.
``We have to get most of our points off defense,'' said Cross, who averages 10.2 points per game. ``We have to play `D' and our points will come.''
The only question is, who will score those points? That's what makes the Cavaliers dangerous.
Not having a go-to scorer ``means they have to be prepared when they step on the floor,'' Fuller said. ``When the occasion arises, they have to be ready.''
Added Cross, ``You don't know what game it will be. . . . You have to be ready to step up.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
The Lakeland High Cavaliers have a balanced attack thanks to, from
left, Damon Tillery, John Ricks, Amon Cross and Brian Baker.
by CNB