Suffolk News-Herald

Johnny Newman and Walt Webb hit five decisive free throws as the Mike Duman (MD) squad got off to a tenacious start in its attempt to defend its Suffolk Sheriff’s Basketball Tournament title Thursday night, slipped past Oceana 66-61. With the score tied at 61 with 2:22 to go, MD’s defense clamped down to hold Oceana scoreless for the remainder.

Newman buried a three-pointer to give MD a 56-54 lead with 4:12 left, but Oceana tied the score 19 seconds later. Stacy Clark scored for MD and George Irvin for Oceana, but Darren Sanderlin swished a three-pointer from the left corner to go up, 61-58.

Damien Epps snuck through for a layup for Oceana, and Terrance Winston sank a free throw to tie things up for the final time.

Each team committed a steal, and Clark was fouled with 1:17 on the clock. He sank one free throw, but quickly hauled in an errant Oceana pass and sent the ball to Anthony Johnson on the sideline. Johnson stalled, then passed to Newman at the top of the key.

He was fouled at the :38 mark, and missed the back end. Epps went for another layup, but missed, and Clark nabbed the rebound, and again shot a pass to Johnson. Johnson crossed up the Oceana defense by passing to Newman, who bounced the ball to Webb in the paint.

Webb sank the first shot with :22 left, but missed the second. Newman grabbed the rebound and went right back up, but was immediately fouled, and sank both free throws to run out the clock.

In later action, the Suffolk Legends defeated Angel Wings 80-54. George Porter led the way for the Legends with 23 points, and John Lillard added 18. Competition continues at 6 p.m. today in King’s Fork Recreation Center.