THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 4, 1996 TAG: 9608040250
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 56 lines
Clayton Ritter thought he might miss the championship game of the Hampton Roads Pro-Am Saturday. He figured he would be flying to Europe to start his third professional season.
Fortunately for A&G Imports though, the James Madison alumnus was at Lake Taylor High soaring past opponents on way to a title.
Ritter went on a personal 10-0 run in double overtime and finished with 44 points as A&G defeated Kershner & Hawkins 127-109.
A&G, which ended the game on a 18-0 run, defeated Team Souza in double overtime Thursday evening to advance to the championship game.
``It was conditioning,'' said Ritter, the league's MVP. ``We have a lot of young guys that have the legs.''
And a veteran who took charge when the other team began to tire.
Ritter hit two free throws with 3:57 left in the second overtime to break a 109-109 tie. He then completed a three-point play after getting fouled on a pump fake and layup. He ended his scoring binge by hitting a 3-pointer and dunking with 1:57 for a 119-109 lead.
``When it came to the last overtime, I wanted the ball in my hands,'' said Ritter who averaged 45 points and 15 rebounds a game in Austria last season. ``Not necessarily to shoot the ball but to draw the double team and to kick it out.''
But before Clayton's exploits at the end, the star of the game appeared to be Kershner's Damon Bacote.
The Alabama guard scored 34 points in the first three quarters, including 18 in the third. And during that time, A&G did not have an answer.
Kenny Cook, Dave Warren and Carnell Penn all took turns defending Bacote and failed. From layups to 3-pointers and fade-away jumpers, Bacote abused the opposition, finishing with 41.
``Bacote was hurting us, but we finally wore them down,'' said A&G coach Juan Hamlett.
Late in the fourth quarter, A&G began to double-team Bacote every time he touched the ball, holding him to seven points the remainder of the contest.
Meanwhile, Ritter was a factor all night. In addition to his 44 points, he finished with 12 rebounds and six blocks.
``I've been shooting 3s the last three years,'' the Kempsville alumnus said. ``I haven't been shooting a lot here because we have a lot of small guys who shoot 3s on our team.''
In the women's finale, Michelle Sessoms had 21 points and 12 rebounds as Techon defeated Atlantic Coast Club 77-65. Techon went on a 12-0 run in the first half for a 34-22 lead. Sylvia Walker led Atlantic with 21 points and 12 rebounds.
In the 3-point contest, Darren Sanderlin won his second consecutive title by defeating Ryan Taylor in the final round. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
L. TODD SPENCER
David Baldwin of Kershner & Hawkins, left, drives past Clayton
Ritter of A&G Imports. by CNB