Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 7, 1993 TAG: 9303070192
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRIS STEUART STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ARLINGTON LENGTH: Medium
NORTH CROSS NAILS DOWN STATE TITLE
In winning the Division I Virginia Independent Schools State championship, the North Cross boys' basketball team made a statement about perseverance.The Raiders twice battled back from hefty deficits before taking control of St. Stephen's/St. Agnes in the fourth quarter for a 64-54 victory at Bishop O'Connell School.
Amid the postgame celebration, other emotions welled up inside the Raiders' players and coaches. The players wore black mourning bands on their left shoulders in memory of Raiders coach Jim Muscaro's wife, Jeanie, who died about a month ago after a battle with cancer.
Muscaro became teary-eyed at the mention of his wife, but he inhaled deeply and focused on his state-championship team.
"I think this team really grew up at he beginning of February," he said. "They really matured and played good basketball together all season."
After contributing 19 points to the Raiders' second state title in five years, tournament Most Valuable Player Marcus Cardwell unflinchingly said, "I dedicate this game to Mrs. Muscaro."
Teammate Monty Smith, who scored a game-high 22 points and was selected to the all-tournament team, said the Raiders had plenty of incentive. "Coach is great. We wanted to win this for him and his wife who passed away."
So it is no wonder this team played inspired basketball against the Saints.
North Cross shot a miserable 37 percent and turned the ball over six times while falling behind St. Stephen's/St. Agnes by 10 points in the first quarter.
"We were intimidated at first," Smith said of the brawny Saints. "But after our nerves settled down, we came around."
The Raiders switched to a zone defense for the first time all season for the last two games of the tournament. It was effective in keeping Saints big men Brian Hall and Ossie Jones, who combined for 34 points, off the boards.
However, North Cross stood flat-footed and was badly outrebounded early.
A switch to a full-court trap defense forced Saints turnovers and North Cross took advantage to pull to a 29-27 deficit at halftime.
The Saints quickly bolted to a 37-28 lead three minutes into the third quarter.
The Raiders mounted a furious drive, fueled by six points apiece from Smith and Cardwell along with renewed rebounding effort, to snatch a 45-40 lead.
The crowd of about 400 erupted after Tyler Pugh's fall-away baseline jumper from behind the basket lifted North Cross to a 53-46 lead with 5:06 remaining.
"Once we relaxed and settled down, we ran off the same way we did all season," Smith said.
Smith quieted the Saints' last run by knifing through the defense for a nifty scoop shot to put North Cross in command 57-52.
With that, the celebration swelled.
"When the fans got into it, we started playing better," Smith said. "This is great. There's no other feeling like it."
Mike Bryan, a 6-foot-5 post player, chipped in eight points for the Raiders and also was selected to the all-tournament team.
"I thought it was a super effort all the way around," Muscaro said. \
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