Boys hoops: Norcom 56, Booker T. Washington 31

NORFOLK

The Eastern District showdown between third-ranked Norcom and No. 7 Booker T. Washington surprisingly ended up not being much of a game.

The visiting Greyhounds (13-3, 8-2) jumped on the host Bookers early and coasted to a 56-31 victory in front of a stunned crowd of more than 1,600.

Both teams came in tied with Maury and Lake Taylor atop the district. But defending champion Norcom now has the inside track to the title. The Greyhounds need only to win out against Lake Taylor, Norview, Churchland and Wilson to repeat.

“This was real big because we have to get that first place in the district,” said guard Jeremy Canty, who finished with eight points. “We just have to keep working and finish strong so we can get that No.1 seed for regionals.”

The Bookers (11-4, 7-3) were coming off a big win over Maury on Tuesday and are tough to beat at home.

But Norcom scored the first nine points of the game. Booker T. Washington cut the deficit to 11-6, but the Greyhounds ended the quarter on a 5-0 run and began the second half with a 14-2 run.

“We start out sluggish every game,” said guard Decarlos Anderson, who finished with 11 points. “So we made it our mission to keep our intensity all game.”

The Bookers shot just 6 of 35 from the field in the first half and 10 of 58 for the game.

“We came here last year and they hit 10 threes on us,” Norcom coach Leon Goolsby said. “So I know they can shoot at home. So our goal was to contest every shot. It they shoot the ball, somebody better be in their face. And I think we did a pretty good job of that.”

What was more surprising was that the Greyhounds didn’t need a big night from Dorian Finney-Smith, who came in averaging nearly 20 points a game.

“That lets you know I got a team now,” said Finney-Smith, who finished with 11 points, 18 rebounds and five blocks.

The Greyhounds held the Bookers to 13 second-half points that not only quieted the Booker faithful but sent some home with three minutes to play.

“You don’t ever see Booker T. fans get quiet,” Canty said. “So we must have been doing something right.”

Larry Rubama, (757) 446-2273, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com

#3 Norcom 56, #7 Booker T. Washington 31

NORCOM: Finney-Smith 11, Theus 8, Canty 8, Anderson 11, Mack 5, Nicholson 4, White 3, Howard 6. Totals 18 14-16 56.

BOOKER T. WASHINGTON: Q, Upshur 4, Norfleet 6, Waters 4, Hood 4, A. Upshur 2, Mills 3, Self 1, Hankins 4. Totals 11 7-13 31.

Halftime: Norcom 39-18. 3-point goals: Theus 2, Canty 2, White, Norfleet, Mills.