THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 7, 1996 TAG: 9602070578
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KEITH POMPEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
It was a basketball game Juritus Thompson waited two years to replay. As a eighth-grader playing junior varsity for Lake Taylor, she missed a last-second shot as Churchland held on for a three-point victory.
``If I would have made that shot, who knows what would have happened?'' Thompson said. ``I always wanted to redeem myself.''
But going into last week's varsity game against the Truckers, many thought her dream would turn into a nightmare.
Lake Taylor came into the game struggling with a 6-7 record while Churchland (14-0) was the area's only undefeated team.
``But I just felt like regardless if they were undefeated or not, if we gave 100 percent we could win,'' said the sophomore. ``The pressure wasn't on us, it was on Churchland. All we could do was give our best and see what happens.''
Thompson, who averages 10 points, put old memories to rest. The 5-foot point-guard finished with a game-high 23 points, eight assists and five rebounds as the Titans shocked the Truckers 67-65.
For her effort, Thompson was named the Virginian-Pilot's female athlete of the week.
``She did everything she could in that game,'' said Lake Taylor coach Theresa Jones. `` She was overwhelming and showed a lot of confidence that game. In fact, Juritus' confidence has grown the last five games.''
After making several mistakes last season, Thompson lost her confidence. Some games she would play passive. Others, she would try to do too much. But after talking with her teammates, she learned to relax.
``My head wasn't into basketball the beginning of the this season,'' Thompson said. ``But my teammates never lost confidence in me and my game started getting back to normal. I became more of a leader.''
Against Churchland she scored 13 of the Titans' final 20 points.
``I normally look to pass,'' Thompson said. ``Early in the game, I drove to the basket looking to pass. But whenever I drove in the fourth quarter, nobody picked me up. And if (my defenders) do that, I'll shoot.''
Now Thompson has another wish.
``I want to play the post one day,'' she said. ``I just admire post players. It seems like it's so easy for them. They always dominate.''
A lot of people would say it isn't possible. But didn't they say that about Lake Taylor beating Churchland? by CNB