Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 18, 1992 TAG: 9201180163
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: JOHN SMALLWOOD SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
COVINGTON HANDLES GLENVAR
Glenvar can't say it didn't have a fair number of chances to keep its unbeaten record. It just didn't take advantage of them.The Highlanders first gave away a sizable lead, and then, after working their way back to challenge down the stretch, faltered.
Covington came into a hostile Glenvar gymnasium and left with a big 68-54 Pioneer District victory.
The Cougars (6-3, 6-1 in the Pioneer) used a dominating second half to deal Glenvar, ranked ninth in Group A, its first loss of the season.
Trailing by three at the half, the Cougars outscored the Highlanders 43-26 in the second half to turn the district race into a dead heat.
"Glenvar's a tough team and they're especially tough at home," said Covington coach Brad Morton. "It's always big to get a win down here.
"We've got three kids with experience from last year, and they helped us get control in the third quarter when things got emotional."
Seniors Neal Dressler and Tony Jeter, and junior Ramone Sampson combined for 16 third-quarter points when Covington outscored Glenvar 21-11 to take control.
Sampson scored a game-high 21, and Dressler added 17 points.
With Covington down 32-29, Sampson and Dressler scored consecutive baskets to give the Cougars the lead.
Steve Ashworth scored for Glenvar, but then Kenno Jones made a 3-pointer to give Covington the lead for good.
Powered by a 12-4 rebounding effort in the third quarter, Covington led 46-39 going into the final eight minutes.
"The second half they really beat us in every aspect of the game," said Glenvar coach Art Lawrence. "They pounded us on the boards and got us out of our offense. The second half we never got back into the game mentally or physically."
Down 53-41 with about six minutes left, the Highlanders (7-1, 7-1) made one last surge.
A 9-1 run cut Covington's advantage to 54-50 with 2:48 remaining. But after Sampson made a layup for the Cougars, Glenvar turned the ball over on four of its next five possessions.
Covington pushed the lead to 61-52 with 49 seconds remaining and closed out the victory by making seven of eight free throws.
"We had to resort to fouling at the end," said Lawrence, whose team committed 13 fouls in the fourth quarter. "Covington did a great job of making their free throws and we weren't converting on the other end. We were giving something for nothing."
Covington overcame a strange first quarter to post the victory. The Cougars won the opening tip, but Sampson scored at the wrong basket.
The officials didn't award Glenvar the points, saying Sampson was confused because Covington had warmed up at that basket.
The Cougars also committed two intentional fouls in the quarter.
"That first quarter was the most bizzare I've ever seen," said Morton.
Steve Ashworth led Glenvar with 16 points and Jason Woolwine scored 10.
\ see microfilm for box score
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.