THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, March 2, 1996 TAG: 9603020412
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: EMPORIA LENGTH: Short : 48 lines
The Lakeland boys basketball team built an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter and hit 7 of 8 free throws in the final minute to stun previously unbeaten Greensville County 65-61 in a Group AA, Region I semifinal Friday night at Greensville County High.
The Cavaliers (17-7), who earn their first trip to the state tournament, will face Nansemond River, which beat Southampton 82-67 in the other semifinal, for the region title tonight at 7 at Greensville County.
Lakeland's Brian Baker was 9 for 11 from the foul line, including six straight in the final minute, as the Cavaliers played most of the last quarter without starters John Ricks and Herman Knight, who both fouled out.
The Eagles (21-1) knocked down three three-pointers in the final minute, but couldn't complete the comeback.
``It was a crucial time and I had to hit those free throws,'' Baker said. ``They were hitting some 3s, so I had to just concentrate and take my time.''
Lakeland got 11 points from Damon Tillery and four blocks from Ricks in the first half as the teams were tied at 26 at the half.
Lakeland built the lead to 11 with 6:50 left in the game on a trey by Amon Cross. But Greensville County's Michael Stokes and Julius Smith combined for three three-pointers to cut it to 62-61 with 13.2 seconds left.
Baker hit four free throws and James Pruden added one to seal it. Tillery led Lakeland with 19 points, while Ricks added 10 points and seven blocks.
In the first semifinal, Nansemond River (21-2) needed a 13-0 spurt in the opening quarter and a 14-2 run midway through the third to get past Southampton (16-9).
Shawn Tann hit 8 of 9 shots from the field, including four treys, for 20 points in the first half as the Indians led by as many as eight.
Antoine Willie scored 24 of his game-high 36 in the second half to lead the Warriors' comeback.
``We needed a game like this,'' said Willie, who also had 10 rebounds. ``They came out like they had nothing to lose. We stuck together and talked and said, `Keep focused and play some ball.' ''
Montoria Valentine scored 16 points and had 10 rebounds, while LaShaun Pugh added 13 points and 16 rebounds for Nansemond River.
Tann finished with 30 points for Southampton. by CNB