THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 31, 1997 TAG: 9701310745
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: BOYS BASKETBALL REPORT
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 67 lines
Booker T. Washington's sizzling start has done wonders for coach Jarrell Wilkerson's popularity.
``Everybody wants to talk to me now,'' Wilkerson said. ``We just had TV in here filming practice. Last year, I couldn't even borrow a TV.''
That's because a year ago, the youthful Bookers slumped to an uncharacteristic 10-12 mark.
But when the Bookers visit Lake Taylor tonight at 6, they'll be defending a No. 1 ranking in the state's Associated Press poll and trying to build on a 14-0 record, the school's best start since the 1991-92 season.
That season's squad, led by Michael Evans, eventually made it to the state title game after rattling off 17 straight wins.
According to Wilkerson, the team started to jell over the summer in a summer league and an Elizabeth City State University basketball camp run by former Bookers coach Barry Hamler.
``They must have played about 60-70 games,'' Wilkerson said. ``I think that brought them together.''
Fullcourt pressure defense and unselfishness on offense have been the Bookers' calling cards. Wilkerson won't hesitate to use all 12 of his players, and leading scorer Terry Gray averages less than 12 points a game.
Four others - Kelvin Fuller, Russell Branch, Demetrius Lee and Antwan Epps - average between 7.4 and 7.9.
A victory tonight would give the Bookers a three-game lead in the Eastern District with four remaining. But Wilkerson is wary of Lake Taylor guard Toot Young, who's been white-hot of late. Young scored a district-high 31 points in his last game.
``Who's going to defend him? All 12 of my guys, if necessary,'' Wilkerson said.
IN FULL BLOOM: Turns out the Wilson Presidents didn't need to bring greater intensity or greater focus to the court to stop their losing ways.
They just needed to bring Flowers.
That's Travis Flowers, a 6-3, 220-pound power forward far and away the biggest impact player among the handful who have regained academic eligibility this semester.
The sophomore made his season debut with 16 points and 13 rebounds a week ago against Granby, then followed that up the next night with a 10-point, 12-rebound effort in a victory over Kellam.
The Presidents, who lost 10 of their first 11, now find themselves on a three-game winning streak, a run highlighted by a 20-point thumping of then-No. 6 Granby.
``The difference? We're getting in sync, we have a little more maturity and Travis Flowers,'' Wilson coach Terence Green said.
Flowers' availability has allowed 6-3 sophomore Mohanda Whitfield to play out on the wing, where he's averaged 24.5 points in two games. It's also provided some much-needed rebounding help for reed-thin, 6-8 sophomore center Derek Barnes.
A major test looms for the new-look Presidents tonight when they visit fourth-ranked Maury. The Commodores spanked Wilson by 18 earlier this season.
``They'll be tough,'' Green said. ``But hey, with Flowers in there, we're a totally different team.''
RIM SHOTS: Maury's Jack Baker on Jan. 3 added athletic director duties when long-time Maury AD Jerry Sazio retired. But Baker says he has no plans to step down as the Commodores basketball coach. ``It's the only thing I know how to do,'' Baker said with a laugh. Now in his 22nd season, Baker will take a 391-111 coaching record into tonight's game against Wilson. . . . Deep Creek, which hosts Western Branch tonight, will be playing at home for the first time in five games. The Hornets have gone 1-3 on the road and have fallen from a first-place tie to two games back.