Notebook: Clark becomes Norfolk Christian's first Div. I football player

Norfolk Christian’s football program just completed its fourth season, and already the Ambassadors have their first Division I player in running back P.J. Clark.

A 5-foot-10, 180-pounder, Clark committed to Army over Georgetown, Holy Cross, Bucknell, Lafayette and Davidson.

What sealed the deal for Clark was his trip to Philadelphia earlier this month for the 109th Army-Navy classic. The sellout crowd of 69,144 at Lincoln Financial Field included President George W. Bush.

“It was an experience like no other,” Clark said. “I got to go down on the sideline and talk to the players and coaches. I also got to see what a true rivalry is like. It was a wild and exciting atmosphere.”

Clark got a chance to talk to the players about what it’s like to play at Army.

“They told me the first year will be rough,” he said with a smile. “But they told me about the opportunities I’ll have after graduating from West Point.”

Clark rushed for 800-plus yards and seven touchdowns this past season and had more than 1,000 all-purpose yards.

He was first-team All-Tidewater Conference at running back and defensive back and was named second-team all-state at both positions. Now he’s looking forward to his future at Army.

“(Wide receivers coach) Dan Baranik came to my house a couple of Sundays ago and told me that they would love to have me,” said Clark who has a 3.5 grade point average. “I’m glad to be going there and looking forward to being a part of the West Point tradition.”

Boys basketball: Lakeland trying to stay right with King’s Fork

In the Southeastern District, there’s King’s Fork and then there’s everybody else.

That doesn’t bother Lakeland coach James Jones. The Cavaliers are 6-1 this season, with their lone loss coming against Salem of the Beach District.

Jones said one player who has helped in Lakeland’s early success has been guard David Barnes, whose 23.0 scoring average is second in South Hampton Roads.

“He’s carried us at times, and we’ve rode him like a thoroughbred,” Jones said. “And the thing about it is that he doesn’t have a problem with it.”

Barnes scored 34 points in Lakeland’s opener against Oscar Smith and has scored 20 or more points four times this season.

Barnes and the Cavaliers will find out how good they really are on Jan. 6 when they host top-ranked King’s Fork.

Boys basketball: Even Tallwood’s coach surprised by team’s start

Tallwood coach Tom Gunsalus figured the Lions would be pretty good this season but concedes to being a little surprised by the Lions’ 8-2 start.

“We have a good camaraderie,” he said. “But we’ve also got a deep bench. That’s really been helpful early in the season when the players are still trying to get their legs under them.”

Another reason for the fast start has been the play of guard Jarrett Jernigan, who is averaging 18.2 points this season.

“He has been a leader,” Gunsalus said. “He’s brought a certain amount of intensity to our practices, and I think everyone else has picked up on that.”

Tallwood’s first big test of the season will come Jan. 9 when the Lions travel to Landstown, the Beach District favorite.

Girls basketball: With 3 losses, Wilson has a battle on its hands

Wilson coach Roger Smith finds himself in an unfamiliar position. He is preaching patience to his players after the Presidents have opened the season 2-3.

“This is the first time we have had this many defeats since my first year coaching,” said Smith, who took over at Wilson in 2000. “But no team has really blown us out. I told them other teams have played their best against us, and we haven’t played our best.”

Losses to Maury, Lake Taylor and Princess Anne — three teams ranked among The Virginian-Pilot top 10 — have given Smith cause for concern. But he’s not too worried about his team’s slow start. The Presidents are still adjusting after losing leading scorer Jo Guilford to graduation last spring. This season, no player is averaging more than 12 points per game for a team that Smith says is maturing.

“We haven’t put our best ball together yet,” he said. “We are not getting discouraged. We will be there at the end. I guarantee it.”

Girls basketball: Indian River’s Avant commits to Hampton

Indian River’s Keiara Avant, a 5-foot-11 forward, has committed to play women’s basketball at Hampton University. Avant was second-team All-Tidewater as a junior.