Boys hoops: District tourney a stern test for Norcom

Norcom's postseason got under way Saturday

with a 57-48 victory over Booker T. Washington in the Eastern District quarterfinals, earning the Greyhounds a spot in next week's Eastern Region tournament.

"We still got a lot to improve on," said Norcom coach Leon Goolsby, whose team has won back-to-back Group AAA state titles. "But the good part is we made it to the region tournament."

The Greyhounds, who play No. 2 seed Maury on Wednesday in the district semifinals, are the defending district tournament champs.

Goolsby believes playing in the district tourney prepares the Greyhounds for the rest of the postseason.

"Every game is going to be a tough battle," he said. "But now we're battle tested and ready."

EAGLES READY TO RUN

Landstown clinched the Beach District's No. 1 seed by winning the regular-season title. But the Eagles haven't been past the first round of the Eastern Region tournament since 2009, when they reached the semifinals.

"Now that we have another chance," Landstown senior D.J. Roberson said, "we have to make the best of it."

REGION IS WIDE OPEN

The region tournament, which begins Monday, could be the most wide open in recent memory.

"There's no dominant team like past seasons," said Goolsby, whose teams have won back-to-back region titles.

The No. 1 seeds: Norview (Eastern District), Great Bridge (Southeastern), Landstown (Beach) and Hampton (Peninsula).