Suffolk News-Herald

The 2002-3 season ended not with a bang but with a whimper for Suffolk girls basketball teams on Monday night, as both Lakeland and Nansemond River lost in the opening round of the Southeastern district tournament at Indian River. Lakeland fell 61-44 to Deep Creek, while the Lady Warriors lost to the host Lady Braves (the final score was unavailable at press time).

Jamie Knox and Stephanie Sullivan gave the Lady Hornets a 7-0 lead, but Shari Stagg and Natasha Whitworth brought Lakeland to 7-4. Unfortunately for the Lady Cavaliers, it was as close as they came all night.

Sullivan, Shawn Hillman and Dawn Newsome sent Deep Creek on a 10-2 run, but Whitney Lassiter ended the quarter with a three-pointer to get the Lady Cavaliers to within 17-9 and some apparent momentum. But LaPorsha Sanders opened the second quarter with five points for Deep Creek, and the half ended with the Lady Hornets maintaining their eight-point advantage.

The Lady Cavaliers fell apart in the third quarter, as Newsome and Hillman burned them for 13 points in the first four minutes, taking a 42-24 lead. Lassiter hit another three-pointer, but Jonee Artis, Hillman and Newsome scored to end the quarter ahead 48-29. Sanders and Newsome opened the fourth quarter with eight consecutive points, essentially icing the contest.

Alecia Harris led the Lady Cavaliers with 10 points, and Jamaica Mack and Lassiter (one of three Lady Cavaliers playing their farewell game) had eight each.