THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 7, 1997 TAG: 9702071045
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: GIRLS BASKETBALL REPORT
SOURCE: BY REA MCLEROY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 56 lines
Sometimes a player comes along who can raise a struggling team to a higher level. Not just with solid play and on-court decisions, but with a style and grace off the floor that others want to emulate.
First-year Bayside coach Ben Spady has such a player in senior Aretha Williams, who leads the team in scoring and rebounding.
But Spady points to other factors: Williams' classroom excellence, ethics and compassionate ability to help underclassmen adjust to high school studies and basketball.
``She's doing more for the program than she realizes,'' Spady said. ``She does equally as well in the classroom and with the junior varsity players making transitions. We're doing better than people expected us to do and that's because of Aretha.''
Williams, who is being courted by Cheyney (Pa.) University, averages 13.4 points and 13 rebounds for the Marlins (7-9, 6-8 Beach District).
REGION HOPES: The Eastern Region tournament begins Feb. 24 with Beach District teams facing the Peninsula's top powers and the Eastern District against the Southeastern.
Since the Eastern District picked up three Southeastern District teams this year, the regional tournament could pit traditional foes.
For example, if Oscar Smith maintains first place, there is a chance the Tigers could play longtime tournament rival Churchland in the postseason. But the Truckers will have to battle through a tough district tournament to earn a berth.
Kempsville (17-1, 15-0) locked up at least a share of the Beach District regular-season title Tuesday night.
The regular-season winner and tournament winner, or highest tournament finisher other than regular-season champion, both receive region bids. Princess Anne (14-3, 12-3) is second in the district.
The No. 2 Beach team draws powerhouse Menchville (17-0) in the first round. The Monarchs are ranked No. 14 in the nation by USA Today. Second place is a battle right now.
Gloucester (13-4), Lafayette (12-4) and Phoebus (12-5) are evenly matched as the season winds down.
Booker T. Washington (17-0, 12-0) has won the Eastern District regular-season title and Lake Taylor (10-6, 8-3) is second. In the Southeastern, Oscar Smith (16-1, 11-1) holds an edge over Nansemond River.
The higher seed hosts the quarterfinal games, then the tournament moves to Churchland for the semifinals and final.
BLOOMING BROWN: Talk about a growth spurt; in 1 1/2 years, Courtney Brown has sprouted six inches. A freshman guard at Western Branch, the 6-foot Bruin is making noise in the Southeastern District.
Averaging 13.8 points and 12 rebounds, Brown is adjusting to her new height quickly., She shoots 42 percent from the floor and 80 percent from the free-throw line.
``If I didn't have her on my team this year, we wouldn't have won the six games we have,'' coach Kim Aston said.