THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 24, 1996 TAG: 9602240474
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
When a team holds Nansemond River forward Montoria Valentine, who averages double figures in points and rebounds, to four of each in the first half, chances are the opponent is in good shape.
But Friday night, the Warriors got help inside from LaShaun Pugh and Anthony Jones and Antoine Willie scored a game-high 23 points to lead Nansemond River to an 89-52 blowout of Lakeland in the Bay Rivers District tournament championship at Nansemond River.
The Warriors (21-2) and Cavaliers (15-8) join Southampton, an 80-53 winner over Bruton in the third place game, in next week's Group AA, Region I tournament at Greensville County. The Indians (15-8) will play Tuesday at 7 p.m., followed by Lakeland at 8:30. Nansemond River has a first-round bye and plays Friday at 7 p.m.
Nansemond River, which has beaten the Cavaliers four times this season, went on a 13-1 run and forced Lakeland into 12 turnovers in the first quarter to take control. Willie shot 6 of 10 from the floor and scored 14 points and Pugh hit jump shots on three consecutive trips as Valentine sat out most of the first half with two fouls.
``We were trying to get (Valentine) in foul trouble and get him out of there,'' said Lakeland's Herman Knight. ``We just kept turning the ball over and giving them easy layups.''
John Ricks kept the Cavaliers close, scoring 13 points and blocking three shots in the first half as Lakeland cut a 20-point lead to 41-26 at halftime.
But Nansemond River got five points from Leroy Skinner and two each from Pugh, Valentine and Randell White in a three-minute stretch of the late third and early fourth quarters to lead 77-47.
``They just kicked our butts,'' said Lakeland coach John Fuller, whose team shot 9 for 21 from the foul line. ``No excuses. They played well and we did not.''
Pugh finished with 16 points, while Jones added eight for Nansemond River. Valentine scored 10 points and had nine rebounds.
``We know if Montoria goes out, it's up to us to step up on the boards,'' Jones said. ``We had to play even harder and keep the pressure defense on to get turnovers.''
``We just have to come out strong and play hard the whole game when he goes out,'' Pugh said.
Damon Tillery led the Cavaliers with 17 points, followed by Ricks with 15.
In the third-place game, Shawn Tann and Durane Parker each hit three 3-pointers to lead Southampton over Bruton. Tann scored 13 of his game-high 24 in the first half as the Indians led 34-25 at the half.
Southampton outscored the Panthers 25-13 in the third quarter and had four scorers in double figures. Greg Scott had 19, while Rodney Darden added 13 and Rico Ivey 11. Jay Louden had 18 and Leif Conradi 11 for Bruton. ILLUSTRATION: MICHAEL KESTNER
Staff
Antoine Willie drives around James Pruden on his way to a basket
Friday night. He scored 14 in the first period, 23 for the game.
by CNB