ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Sunday, February 16, 1997              TAG: 9702180045
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: C-11 EDITION: METRO 
                                             TYPE: HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
SOURCE: FROM STAFF REPORTS


TERRIERS WIN TO FORCE BLUE RIDGE PLAYOFF

Frank English scored 18 points Saturday to lead four William Byrd players in double figures as the Terriers forced a playoff for the Blue Ridge District regular-season championship with a 64-61 victory at Alleghany.

William Byrd (15-5, 12-2) will play Salem (14-7, 12-2) at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Lord Botetourt to determine who will be the top seed in the district tournament.

The Terriers, who led the Mountaineers 48-47 after three quarters, claimed their share of first place by hitting 10 of 14 free throws in the final period.

Kevin Stump and Jason Thomas each scored 12 for Byrd, while Mayo Wilson added 11.

Casey Burks led Alleghany (7-13, 5-9) with 22 points, while Travis Davis scored 17.

In other games:

Patrick Henry 86, Amherst County 57: Boo Battle scored 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Patriots (16-4) ran away in the second half to post a non-district win against the Lancers at PH.

The Patriots held a 39-34 halftime lead but outscored the Lancers 47-23 in the second half. Ronnie Kasey added 18 points for PH.

PH will face off with Fleming in a playoff for the Roanoke Valley District title Monday night at Franklin County High School.

Joey McDowell led the Lancers with 14 points.

Martinsville 62, Fieldale-Collinsville 46: The Bulldogs clinched a tie for the Piedmont District regular-season title with a win over the Cavaliers in Martinsville.

Kelsey Green was the lone double-figure scorer for the Bulldogs (14-6, 9-1) with 18 points. Magna Vista, which defeated Bassett, also finished 9-1 in the district and will face Martinsville in a playoff for the district title Monday at 7 p.m. at Bassett.

Joey Taylor led the Cavaliers with 16 points.

Magna Vista 76, Bassett 51: Landa Martin scored 22 points as the Warriors forced a playoff with Martinsville for the Piedmont District title with a win over the Bengals in Bassett.

The Warriors shot 46 free throws in the game compared to the Bengals' 10. Marcus Hairston and Travis Preston added 13 and 11 points respectively for Magna Vista

Corie Manns led the Bengals (5-15) with 10 points.

Blacksburg 63, Rockbridge County 42: The Indians finished out the regular season on a winning note in a Blue Ridge District matchup against the Wildcats in Blacksburg.

Philip Klaus led Blacksburg with 17 points and Matt Maher added 11 points.

Ricky Wright scored 12 points to pace Rockbridge County.

Lord Botetourt 57, Christiansburg 54: Michael Yates scored 24 points and the Cavaliers hit their free throws down the stretch as Lord Botetourt defeated the Demons in a Blue Ridge District game in Daleville.

Lord Botetourt (12-7, 7-7) outscored Christiansburg 19-9 in the second period to take a 33-23 lead into the break. The Cavaliers hit nine of 13 free throws and Yates scored eight points in the fourth period to seal the victory.

Sean Osbourne added 16 points for Lord Botetourt. Mike Kazee scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Christiansburg.

Radford 59, Rocky Gap 43: The Bobcats used a balanced attack to pick up a Mountain Empire District win at Rocky Gap.

Radford (11-10, 8-2) placed three players in double figures. Tony Hatch scored 12, John Robertson 11 and Andrew Crowder had 10.

Rocky Gap (4-16, 2-10), which pulled to within six in the final quarter, was led by Matthew Akers' 19 points.

Girls

Cave Spring 45, Mercer Christian 42: The Knights scored the final six points after trailing the entire game to hold off Mercer Christian in a non-district contest.

Catie Redick scored 13 points and Alyssa Redick added 10 as the Knights (18-3) outscored Mercer Christian 15-7 in the final stanza.

Cave Spring used a full-court press to force turnovers and converted them into transition baskets to seal the victory.

Tracy Wyatt and Kristy Setser scored 16 points apiece for Mercer Christian (9-9).

Amherst County 65, Patrick Henry 46: Kelly Thorpe scored 16 points and Jackie Snead added 15 to lead the Lancers to a non-district victory over the Patriots in Amherst.

Amherst (5-15), which led 26-15 at the half, outscored Patrick Henry 20-4 from the free-throw line for the game.

NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.


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