Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, February 22, 1993 TAG: 9302220127
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM
DATELINE: HIGH SCHOOLS LENGTH: Long
LANCERS HAVE BEST SHOT FOR STRONG TOURNAMENT RUN
A year ago, the Patrick Henry boys, the Northside boys and the Pulaski County girls carried the Timesland banner to the finals of the state basketball tournaments.Patrick Henry emerged as a Group AAA boys' champion. Pulaski County lost a last-second struggle to heavily favored Phoebus for the Group AAA girls' title. Northside was a surprise to be around on championship day after blitzing its way past Laurel Park in the Region III tournament and Matoaca in the Group AA boys' semifinals; the Vikings were wiped out by a good Nansemond River team.
What will Timesland do for an encore?
Better ask Laurel Park. The district tournaments take place this week, beginning the final four-week charge toward the state championships. And this year the Lancers might be the only public school team from the area with a legitimate chance of completing the run.
The Lancers dashed their way through the Piedmont District unbeaten. That's an impressive feat in itself - and they did it for the second year in a row.
The Lancers have won 42 consecutive regular-season district games. More impressive, Laurel Park has won 57 of its past 58 district games.
If there is a blemish, it's the tournament record. Laurel Park's only Piedmont District tournament title during this span came in 1991 when the Lancers edged Martinsville 61-60.
Three years ago, Martinsville won 88-86 in the final, and last winter the Bulldogs again won 63-61. It also was Martinsville that last beat the Lancers in a regular-season game when they won another thriller, 71-70.
By now, you've gotten the point. Make plans to attend the Piedmont District final if Martinsville and Laurel Park are matched up because it will be one heck of a battle.
Laurel Park's road to the state tournament is tough, even though they already have qualified for the regional tournament as the Piedmont's regular-season champion. By virtue of the draw, the Lancers first must beat a Seminole District team in the Region III and then get past Salem in the semifinals to make it back to the state tournament. Last year, Laurel Park lost in the state semifinals to Nansemond River.
The surprising thing about Laurel Park is that the Lancers have won without Odell Hodge. And they've been more impressive this year. Compared to the close finishes of other years, Laurel Park blew out Martinsville 76-71 and 72-64. It won't be that easy if the two meet again.
What about Northside? The Vikings have been impressive at times, but they aren't up to last year's standards. That's partly because 6-foot-5 Walt Derey, who set state tournament rebounding records, has not dominated. Until Friday night, that is, when he had 30 points and 18 rebounds.
Now that Derey's playing like we remember, everything should be OK, right? Wrong. In the same game, outstanding forward Jimmy Porter badly sprained an ankle. If he can't play Wednesday in the first round of the district tournament, Northside faces the possibility of an early round loss and elimination from the tournament trail.
Salem, as the Blue Ridge champion, is in its first-ever regional tournament. The Spartans, under first-year coach Charlie Morgan, succeeded with a press and a withering offense. At times, the defense and the rebounding were suspect, and free-throw shooting remained a problem. Still, Salem split with a strong Magna Vista team and was able to win tough, close games. The Spartans need only one win to make the state tournament from the Region III, but that won't be easy.
In Region IV, Blacksburg has a 10-10 record. The Indians, however, might be the best team in the region. They need to win only one home game next week to earn another trip to the state tournament. Look for Virginia High to join Blacksburg, but neither team will be expected to win against the Region III teams in the first round of the state tournament.
Among Group AAA boys' teams, William Fleming appeared to be coming along nicely. Then coach Burrall Paye was suspended for one game against Patrick Henry. The Colonels lost the next night to Rice High School of Manhattan, the nation's 20th-ranked high school team, after leading by seven points with 30.4 seconds to go.
Last week, Fleming couldn't hold a lead at Pulaski County, and the Colonels must beat the Cougars in a playoff tonight at Cave Spring for the Roanoke Valley District crown. Fleming is a very talented team, but it must get back into focus to make the state tournament. That's because the Colonels may have to win on the road if they reach the Northwestern Region. Pulaski County has an athletic team but not as much depth.
Among Group AAA girls, Cave Spring is the strongest team. The Knights, if they win the Roanoke Valley District tournament, won't have to leave home for the Northwestern Region tournament. That might get them into the state tournament, but to advance from there they will have to win at a neutral site against a tough Northwestern Region team.
In Group A boys' play, teams have been inconsistent. Glenvar needs but one win to make the state tournament. The Highlanders have played some good Group AA teams close and have the potential to get that win.
The best Group A team in Timesland now might very well be George Wythe, which has gone on a late-season run with nine straight wins. If Wythe makes the Region C field, it will be in the same bracket as Glenvar.
Grayson County also has potential, but it's difficult for observers to get a read on teams from the Mountain Empire District because they play only two non-district games each. Among private schools, North Cross has been outstanding, ranked in the top five recently, and could win the state championship.
It seems Timesland teams do quite well in reaching the state semifinals or beyond. But with the new setup of two teams from a region making the state tournament, area teams have a tough road ahead.