
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 17, 1992                   TAG: 9203170372
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO  
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

BASKETBALL

STATES with many small communities, such as Indiana, produce a lot of basketball teams. As with any athletic endeavor, concentrations of talent normally are in metropolitan areas. Even so, it is unusual for a number of teams from one region to be in contention for statewide championships.

That is what has happened this year, however, in Southwest Virginia. Three Roanoke Valley high schools, Northside, Cave Spring and Patrick Henry, and Pulaski County High have qualified in their category of competition for next weekend's state semifinals in Charlottesville - the "final four."

To do so, these squads of course had to beat other high schools from the region. But the advance by Cave Spring High's girls team was the more notaable because it was done by a 69-59 upset over James Madison High, which USA Today has ranked 25th nationally.

If Cave Spring defeats Phoebus in the Group AAA semifinals next Friday, its finals opponent could be Pulaski County, which won 46-42 over West Springfield (itself an upset winner over James Madison a week earlier). The Cougars first must get past Petersburg.

Northside's quarterfinals victory was the closest, 52-50 over Christiansburg. The Vikings' boys team didn't play up to its potential in that game and frequently trailed, but held on to pull it out and advance to Group AA's semifinals against Matoaca. Patrick Henry's boys had it easier, rolling over Chantilly 83-56 to reach the Group AAA semifinals against Highland Spring.

The primary purpose of high schools should be to develop knowledge and thinking ability; team sports ought not be exalted over scholastic pursuits. But games are seldom won by brute strength, and mindless skill is an oxymoron. Most team sports nowadays require complicated tactics that can be mastered only with intelligence and dedication. Their students and fans can be proud of these semifinalists.

***CORRECTION***

Published correction ran on Wednesday, March 18, 1992

Northside High School won its quarterfinals basketball game over Blacksburg High, not Christiansburg as stated in an editorial March 17.

by CNB