Boys hoops: Landstown got a wake-up call in Bayside loss

Landstown coach Dwight Robinson had a bad feeling about his team following the holiday break.

He just didn't feel like the Eagles, then No. 1 in South Hampton Roads, were ready for their first game of 2012 against Bayside.

"We never had an intense practice the whole time over the holiday," he said. "And I told them, 'When you lose to Bayside watch me laugh.' "

Landstown lost 79-68.

"After the loss, I went into the locker room and had to chuckle," he said. "But I think they learned from it."

Third-ranked Landstown (11-2) has won three of its past four games since then.

"You never want to lose," he said, "but sometimes there's good in a loss if you come back from it and do what you're supposed to do."

King's fork facing make-or-break week

By the end of this week, King's Fork can be in first place or fall as low as fifth.

The Bulldogs (9-5, 8-2 Southeastern) play at No. 5 Nansemond River (8-2 district) tonight, host No. 4 Great Bridge (9-1 district) on Thursday and travel to Western Branch (7-3 district) on Friday.

"This first game against Nansemond River can dictate how the rest of the week goes," said Bulldogs coach Joshua Worrell. "They are really buying into a team concept. I think we'll be OK."

churchland on verge of putting it together

Churchland has nine losses, but seven have been by seven points or less, and five have been by three or fewer.

That includes Friday, when the Truckers lost 73-72 to crosstown rival Norcom.

"We're in every game, but we just can't get over the hump," said coach Pat Dulin, whose Truckers are the lone team to beat top-ranked Norview this season. "But it's bound to happen."