Saturday roundup: Norcom boys gain region hoops bid

BOYS BASKETBALL

Eastern District

Norcom 57, Booker T. Washington 48

Norcom forward James Whitaker scored a game-high 15 points on Saturday to help lead the Greyhounds in the first round of the Eastern District tournament.

The Greyhounds secured a spot in the Eastern Region tournament.

Whitaker had missed the team’s last three games with a concussion.

“That was big having him back in the lineup because he can shoot,” said Malique Trent, who scored nine of his 13 points in the fourth quarter.

Having Whitaker back in the lineup gave Norcom balance as the Greyhounds had four players score in double figures. They included Devin Patterson and Troy Locke, who finished with 11 points apiece.

Booker T. Washington (12-11) had beaten Norcom twice during the regular season.

“A lot of people said we couldn’t beat Booker T.,” Trent said. “So we used that as motivation."

The Greyhounds (14-9) led from start to finish, but Booker T. Washington cut an 11-point deficit to three with three minutes left in the third quarter.

The Bookers missed two one-and-one situations in the final 20 seconds of the third quarter, then missed 8 of 16 free throws in the fourth. Norcom made 13 of 16 free throws in the fourth quarter.

Norcom plays Maury in a 7:30 p.m. semifinal Wednesday at Norview.

Granby 56, Lake Taylor 41

Granby guard Aaron Johnson scored 12 of his game-high 19 points in the third quarter to lead the Comets in an Eastern District quarterfinal.

Kareem Thompson finished with 10 points and eight rebounds and Jordan Jennings contributed 12 points for Granby, which plays top-seeded Norview at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

– Larry Rubama

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Eastern District

Churchland 54, Booker T. Washington 41

Tatiana Stevens finished with 18 points and 17 rebounds as the Truckers advanced to Tuesday’s 5:45 p.m. semifinal against Lake Taylor.

WRESTLING

Tidewater Conference

Cape Henry (260 points) won the conference championship, taking home eight individual titles.

The Dolphins’ Scott Cunningham (126 pounds) was named most outstanding wrestler.

Other champions: Cape Henry’s Logan Harvich (106), Will Mason (120), Thomas Armistead (152), Greg Noordanus (160), Jake Henning (170), Jake Kantor (182) and Tanner Baine (195); Bishop Sullivan Catholic’s Alex Salazar (132), Richard Rumley (138) and Sean Kelly (145); Norfolk Academy’s Dustin Runzo (113) and Hunter Wagnon (220); and Norfolk Christian’s Alexander (285).

SWIMMING

Tidewater Conference

Hampton Roads (481 points) and Norfolk Academy (418 points) won the boys and girls team titles, respectively, in the conference meet.

Ben Leach won the 50 and 100 freestyles, and anchored the 200 freestyle relay for the Bulldogs.

James Balderston won the 200 IM and 500 free for Norfolk Christian.

Amanda Clagett led the Bulldogs with wins in the 50 and 100 freestyles, and was also a part of the winning 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams.