Belief is a powerful ally in the hands of a good basketball team.

Petersburg, ranked No. 3 in the Times-Dispatch Top 10 behind Highland Springs and Benedictine, believed it could beat Highland Springs.

It didn't matter that the Wave had lost to the Springers six straight times, including last year's Central Region tournament final. The Springers and Wave met last night in the nightcap semifinal of this year's region tournament at the Siegel Center.

Petersburg won 65-55.

Everyone in the near-sellout crowd (7,500 capacity) knew the final score was no indication of how soundly the Wave thumped the Springers.

The victory propelled the Wave into tomorrow's championship game against John Marshall, a 77-69 victor over L.C. Bird in the opening semifinal. Both winners earned berths in the state Group AAA tournament quarterfinals March 8.

"The one thing we always preach to the guys is that you've got to have pride," Petersburg coach Bill Lawson III said. "Everyone from Petersburg has pride in Petersburg. I also emphasized to them that they weren't just playing for the team. They were playing for everyone in the city and everybody who's ever been part of the team."

Highland Springs led 12-10 late in the first quarter when Chris Moore and Terniel Rhodes (at the buzzer) hit 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to give Petersburg the lead for good.

No one, including the Springers, had any idea that Highland Springs would score just three points in the second quarter. No one expected the Springers to shoot 19 for 73 from the field, 3 of 26 from beyond the arc.

Daniel was 4 for 19. Harvey Mills was 2-19 on a court that some observers viewed as a second home for the Springers.

The Crimson Wave defense was responsible.

"We played only two defenses tonight when I usually play four or five in a game," Lawson said. "We started in a zone, then switched to man-to-man. We stayed with it. It isn't a defense we play, but it was effective tonight."

Moore and Rhodes had the primary task of checking Daniel.

"Coach told me I had to play big," said Moore, who is 5-9. Daniel is 6-2.

Rhodes, 6-5, asked to guard Daniel, who finished with nine points. Mills had six. Dazmond Starke was the only Springer in double figures (13 points). Starke was 2 for 12 from the floor and had a couple of shots blocked by Cadarian Raines.

Petersburg led 42-29 at the end of three quarters and led 65-44 when both teams cleared the benches.

"Hats off to Petersburg," Highland Springs coach George Lancaster said. "I don't know what will happen Monday, but they are well-disciplined and they execute well. This time of year you have to execute, play with poise and actually score the basketball. We did none of those. We dug a hole in the second quarter and that does something to your psyche."

Petersburg Rhodes led the Wave with 21 points. Drejon Scott, who sank three 3-pointers, contributed 15 points and Ibn Rassoull had 14.

"I'm happy, but we still have to take care of business," Rassoull said. "We've just qualified. We haven't won anything yet."

PETERSBURG (26-2)

Desmore 0, Moore 8, Rhodes 21, Scott 15, Rassoull 14, N. Taylor 0, Raines 7, Payne 0, Blakes 0, Hoosier 0, J. Taylor 0. Totals: 20 20-33 65.

HIGHLAND SPRINGS (25-2)

Daniel 9, Parham 7, Winfield 8, Mills 6,Young 4, Starke 13, Henderson 0, Williams 0, Hilliard 8, DeBerry 0, Hodnett 0, Mask 0, McClaine 0, Reynolds 0, Reed 0. Totals: 19 14-23 55.

Petersburg ------------------------- 16 8 18 23 -- 65

Highland Springs ------------------------- 12 3 14 26 -- 55

3-point goals: P -- Scott 3, Moore, Rhodes. HS -- Daniel, Mills, Parham.