THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 25, 1996 TAG: 9602250228
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 48 lines
Tasha Basnight sank 3 of 4 free throws in the final 1:48 of overtime as Booker T. Washington took a 40-35 victory over top-seeded Maury in Saturday's Eastern District girls basketball tournament final.
``It's a very good feeling,'' said Basnight, who led Booker T. with 14 points. ``It really felt like a championship.''
Shwante Snead tied the game for Maury with 1:13 to play in the fourth quarter when she hit both ends of a one-and-one. The senior guard had a chance to win it in regulation after the Commodores regained possession on a jump ball at the other end of the court.
Maury spread the court and worked 24 seconds off the clock before Maury coach Lamont Walker called a timeout to set up the final play.
Snead got the ball over halfcourt and five seconds remained before made her move and was fouled in the corner by Raquita Washington with two seconds to go.
With Maury's best free-throw shooter on the line, Booker T. coach Cal Davidson called a timeout.
``If I would've had four timeouts, I would've used them all then. I wanted her to think about it,'' Davidson said.
The strategy worked as Snead missed the one-and-one, sending the game into overtime.
``It was tough,'' said Snead, who finished with 14 points. ``I knew I had to put it in. I was thinking about the last (game) when we won in triple overtime.''
But this time, Booker T. would not be denied.
The Bookers kept Snead scoreless in the extra period and limited the Commodores to a pair of Amy Mayer free throws at the 1:35 mark.
``Our defense was the key,'' Basnight said. ``We were trying to keep (Snead) from getting the ball and making easy shots. If you keep her from getting the ball, you mess up their whole offense.''
The Bookers did just that in the first half as they built a 17-14 lead. Snead was held to six points by Erica Simpson and Washington, while Basnight had seven and Karen Johnson scored five of her 11.
Both teams advance to Eastern Region play on Monday. Booker T. (11-9) will play at Beach District champion Kempsville. Maury (14-7) will host Beach runner-up Salem. The games begin at 7 p.m. by CNB