THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 20, 1997 TAG: 9702200279
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 125 lines
Upon hearing the question, Kelvin Fuller's face contorted as though he'd just bitten into a hotter-than-expected jalapeno pepper.
``What's wrong with Booker T. Washington?'' the guard repeated, insulted that anyone might look for flaws in a team that closed the regular season with an 18-2 record. ``What kind of question is that?''
Relax, Kelvin, no Booker bashing here.
But there has been a slip of late. The Bookers began the season 15-0, but went 3-2 in the last two weeks of the regular season. And after spending 28 days as the top-ranked team in the state, they are now the second-ranked team in South Hampton Roads.
From the odds-on favorite to win next week's Eastern Region title, the Bookers are now one of about six teams with a realistic shot of taking the crown.
The difference, Kelvin, that's what people want to know. What's the difference in the Bookers?
``Oh, he's sitting right over there,'' said Fuller, motioning toward a 6-foot-6, 203-pound junior who had folded his frame along the wooden bleachers in the Bookers' gym. ``Terry Gray hasn't been playing. He's the key to the whole team.''
Indeed, the Bookers' mild recent slump can be traced to the 4:13 mark of the second quarter on Feb. 5, when Gray twisted his left knee positioning for a rebound against Indian River. Without the man who burned the Braves for 27 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks the first time the teams met, the Bookers fell 68-61 in a game that punctured their aura of invincibility.
With Gray sidelined for the rest of the regular season, the Bookers stumbled again last week. They fell by three at rejuvenated Norview, then needed an Adrean Newton jumper at the overtime buzzer to nip Maury.
But Gray, who also sat out Tuesday's 87-70 victory over Churchland in the Eastern District quarterfinals, is expected back in the lineup for tonight's semifinal against Norview. Game time at Wilson High School is 7:45.
Maury and Lake Taylor play in the night's first semifinal game at 6.
``Not having (Gray) was huge,'' Maury coach Jack Baker said. ``I think he's the key to their success next week.''
Gray rejects this theory, claiming his impact is sometimes exaggerated.
``Hey, even the Bulls lose,'' Gray said. ``I'm not the whole team.''
Indeed, Robert Jordan, a 6-5 forward, has stepped up his scoring in Gray's absence and blocked a season-high seven shots against Maury.
Akil Ellis, also 6-5, has been a consistent shot-blocking presence, and 6-3 Kentrell Hines pulled down 11 rebounds against the Commodores.
Still, despite the Bookers' remarkable versatility and depth, Gray clearly seems to be the one irreplaceable component, the team leader in scoring (11.4), rebounding (9.5), blocks (3) - and perhaps most importantly, attitude.
Tallwood's Terrell Taylor, the burly 6-7 sophomore and the area's fifth-leading scorer, scored only four points against Gray when the teams met last month.
``The Beach ain't that tough,'' Gray said. ``He probably just had an off game, but I think I got to him mentally, too.''
And when asked about playing against Kempsville's 6-11 Brian Bersticker during a summer league game, Gray merely holds up his fist.
``A doughnut,'' he said. ``He didn't score anything.
``But that's me, Terry Gray, intimidator. I don't care if you're seven feet tall. I might intimidate you, but you can't intimidate me.''
Gray contends the knee is fine now, and implied his injury may have been a blessing.
``I think it actually may have made us better,'' he said. ``We showed we're still a good team without me in the lineup. There's nothing wrong with this team.''
At least nothing that can't be cured by a touch of Gray. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
L. TODD SPENCER/The Virginian-Pilot
Terry Gray sat out Booker T.'s only two losses with a knee injury.
Graphic
BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS
BEACH DISTRICT GIRLS
Today's game
Semifinal At Ocean Lakes H.S. Princess Anne (18-3) vs. Salem
(17-6), 5:45 p.m.
Directions: Take Route 44 east to the Birdneck Rd. exit. Turn
right off the exit onto Birdneck Road. Take right on General Booth
Blvd. Take left onto Dam Neck Rd. Take right onto Bold Ruler Dr.
Travel approximately one mile, then take left onto Firefall Drive.
Turn right on Schumann Drive. School is on the left.
Tickets: $4 adults and students; $2 children age 6-12
BEACH DISTRICT BOYS
Today's game
Semifinal At Ocean Lakes H.S. Kempsville (16-6) vs. Ocean Lakes
(15-7), 7:30 p.m.
Directions: Same as to Beach District girls game.
Tickets: $4 adults and students; $2 children age 6-12
EASTERN DISTRICT BOYS
Today's games
Semifinals At Wilson H.S. Maury (15-6) vs. Lake Taylor (16-6), 6
p.m.
Booker T. (19-2) vs. Norview (14-7), 7:45 p.m.
Directions: When coming from Norfolk through Downtown Tunnel on
I-264, take first Greenwood Drive exit, turn right onto Airline
Blvd., turn left onto Elmhurst Lane. School is on right at 1401
Elmhurst Lane.
Tickets: $4 adults and students; $2 children under 12
SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICT BOYS
Today's games
Semifinals At Oscar Smith H.S. Lakeland (12-9) vs. Oscar Smith
(10-12), 6 p.m.
Great Bridge (10-12) vs. Indian River (16-5), 7:45 p.m.
Directions: Take I-64 and exit at Battlefield Blvd./Great Bridge
exit. Traveling southeast on Battlefield Blvd., turn right onto
Great Bridge Blvd. School will be on left. Official address: 1994
Tiger Drive.
Tickets: $5 adults and students; $3 children grades 1-5
BAY RIVERS DISTRICT BOYS
Today's game
Semifinals At Southampton H.S. Tabb (12-8) vs. Southampton
(19-3), 6:30 p.m.
Bruton (15-5) vs. York (13-9), 8 p.m.
Directions: Located on Route 58 in Courtland. Official address:
23350 Southampton Parkway.
Tickets: $4 adults and students