Boys hoops: Upset win puts Tallwood in thick of Beach race

VIRGINIA BEACH

The Tallwood boys basketball team lost eight of its first 12 games, including five to Beach District teams.

Fortunately for them, those losses to district teams didn't count in the standings.

Games didn't start counting until Jan. 3.

Since then Tallwood has won five district games - including Tuesday's 52-47 upset of No. 10 Kellam.

The victory propelled Tallwood into a three-way tie for first place with Landstown and Salem in the Beach District.

"The first 10 games didn't count but we knew we had to come out and play hard and let everybody know what we can do," said Lions guard Tommie Flournoy, who scored a game-high 16 points.

Tallwood jumped to a 12-5 lead over the host Knights (10-7, 5-2 Beach). The Lions stretched their lead to 13 with 4:36 left in the third quarter and led by 11 with 1:45 left.

Tallwood seemed to be rolling to an easy win when Kellam battled back in the fourth quarter thanks to guard Ifeanyi Osuchukwu, who scored five of his 14 points in the fourth quarter to help cut the deficit to seven.

Zach Baker's layup cut the deficit to 46-44 with 1:27 left, but Tallwood responded with a 6-0 run to seal the victory.

"We knew we had to come into this game and play hard the whole game," Flournoy said.

Guard Matthew Nelson and forward Terrell Myles also played big roles as they scored 13 and 12 points, respectively.

"It's a good win for our guys and gives them a little bit of confidence," Lions coach Tom Gunsalus said. "Hopefully we can keep playing well."

Kellam also got help from forward Ramone Snowden, who finished with 14 points.

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