THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 26, 1997 TAG: 9701240246
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA McLEROY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 78 lines
Afriyie Bray was driving the baseline, trying to help the Lakeland Cavaliers break open a tight game with Oscar Smith. A defender blocked her path and the whistle blew - charge.
Bray drew her fifth foul and the Cavaliers suffered their first loss.
Two weeks later, Bray was benched with four fouls late in a Southeastern District game against Hickory. She scored 21 points, but was sidelined late and again the Cavaliers were upset.
In her mind, Bray hears the words of her coach.
When you foul out, we lose.
Not only is she now fighting for position and concentrating on plays, but Bray is working to become more hands-off, to shake the street training she grew up with in favor of the more censored play of high school girls basketball.
``It's hard, because all you have to do is reach or act like you're going to do something and they call foul,'' Bray said. ``Now the other team looks to get me out of a game.''
Then again, Bray admits she is less than timid when going after an opponent.
``When I foul you, I'm going to foul you,'' she said.
Of course, sitting on the sidelines isn't all bad. Not for a short period of time, at least.
``To sit and watch, I get to see the mistakes we do make,'' Bray said. ``It sometimes helps and sometimes I go out and do the same.''
The talented junior has been spotlighted by opposing coaches as the player to take out of the game. She averages 11.8 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists and has earned the respect of her coach.
She really doesn't know her potential or her strength yet.
Bray is harassed not by a double team, but by an offense working to draw the needed five fouls and put the driving star on the bench.
``I'm loving it,'' Bray said. ``I've just got to keep my composure out there on the court.''
Does it make her mad to be the focus of physical plays?
``It depends on the call they make,'' Bray said. ``If I know in my head the call wasn't good, I do get a little hot. It's frustrating sometimes when they call fouls.''
Bray grew up playing street ball, then entered organized play her freshman year. She made the squad her first season and has since worked to hone her skills in a set offense and to control the aggressive attack that highlighted her street-wise game.
``I didn't ever go to any camps or anything,'' Bray said. ``I just went straight to varsity. That's because I played street ball.
``They had to make me mix the street and show me the organized version. Now, I'm on a level that's good, but you always want to climb higher.''
Coach Stephanie Odom saw the skill and the work ethic and begin reforming Bray's style.
``She works hard,'' Odom said. ``She's a post player, sometimes a center. We're working to get the ball to her more. I think she'll be highly recruited if she continues improving.''
To Bray, this improving means learning to make better decisions and to balance aggressive defense with no-foul play.
``What I really focus on is taking my time, looking around and making sure of my options and if I have a shot, shoot it,'' Bray said. ``You always go out to play aggressive.''
And to win. The Cavaliers debuted in AAA play this season and quickly joined Nansemond River atop the district standings.
The two recent losses threw them into fourth in the district, but a lot of season is left before district tournament time.
``We can't lose any more games,'' Bray said. ``It's going to take a lot of heart and a lot of dedication. We have to get out there and feel what we can really do.''
And keep Bray in the game. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Lakeland Cavaliers player Afriyie Bray looks for a way around the
line of Hickory players during a recent game at Lakeland.
KEYWORDS: HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL