Wave leaves no doubt in dominating run to Central title

PETERSBURG -- The tidal Wave continues.

Petersburg, ranked No. 1 in The Times-Dispatch Top 10 and in The Associated Press state poll, finished a sweep of Central District foes with a 75-46 victory last night in the final of the district tournament.

Playing before a packed house of 2,500 in William Lawson Jr. Gym, the Wave won its 25th consecutive game this season. Petersburg has been 25-0 at other times in its storied history. The 1973 and 1974 teams, led by Moses Malone, finished 25-0 and won state championships.

To finish as unbeaten state champions, the current Wave needs to win seven more games.

Petersburg put away last night's title, the second in a row, in the first half with a 3-point shooting exhibition by Drejon Scott and the usual highlight-reel dunks by Cadarian Raines and Chris Evans.

The Wave led 21-10 at the end of one quarter and 35-17 at halftime. Scott, who finished with 14 points, drilled three treys in the first quarter. Raines sandwiched two dunks around one by Evans as the lead grew to 26 midway through the third quarter. Raines' second was a high-leaping one-hand throwdown off a pass from Evans. The crowd reaction: admiring and loud.

Evans, a transfer from Deep Creek, says it's a tie on whether he likes to dunk or assist on a dunk.

"I like to see the reaction of the crowd," he said with a smile.

The Wave had to rally from eight points down in the third quarter to beat Thomas Dale on Thursday night. Former Hopewell coach Bill Littlepage, who does commentary for TJ Video, called last night's effort by the Wave, the best he's seen this season.

"This was for the championship. We've been building for it," Petersburg coach Bill Lawson III said. "We wanted to dictate on defense."

Last night's meeting was the fourth between the longtime rivals this season. Hopewell lost by a point at home in the third meeting.

The Wave caused numerous turnovers and repeatedly converted in transition last night.

"We were well-prepared for this," said Evans, who scored 23 points. "Hopewell's a good team, and we knew they could make a run. We had to apply pressure and not let up."

The Blue Devils, led by Pedro Berrios (16 points), put together a 12-3 run at the end of the third quarter, but Petersburg stretched the margin again, scoring the first nine points of the last quarter.

Winning the title at home was good, Lawson said. Was it the team's best performance of the season?

Nope.

"I'm still not satisfied," he said.

Both teams are in Central Region tournament action Monday. Petersburg plays host to James River. Hopewell is home to L.C. Bird.

HOPEWELL (16-9)

Ruiz 2, Berrios 16, M. Gholson 9, Rose 9, Tims 6, B. Tyler 0, A. Tyler 4, Reeves 0, McKindley 0. Totals 19 7-15 46.
PETERSBURG (25-0)

K. Green 4, Mason 4, Desmore 6, Moore 4, Evans 23, Scott 14, M. Greene 5, R. Greene 0, Hoosier 2, Raines 8, Spain 2. Totals 26 19-27 75.
Hopewell ------------------------- 10 7 20 9 -- 46
Petersburg ------------------------- 21 14 17 23 -- 75

3-point goals: H -- Gholson. P -- Scott 3, Desmore, Mason.