WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 02/24/02

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Ahead on NEWS 7 at six... A police pursuit in Vinton overnight ends in a deadly collision. We'll have the latest on the investigation.
(------------)
[anchor=Teresa]
[ss=]
And, the spring fire season ignites a major problem for the department forestry.

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=Sports Head]
[GRAPHIC=None]

And coming up in sports, Matt Kenseth wins at the Rock Michigan State gets a win that could put the Spartans in the N-C-Double-A tournament.
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[VO-NAT]

And Maryland slips by Wake Forest on a free throw with just over a second left in the game.
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[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Jacey]
[SS=None]

The weekend ends on a sunny and mild note but the new week is expected to begin even warmer... forecast explanation coming up. [Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
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[VO-NAT]
Two elderly sisters are killed after their car is struck by a police officer in pursuit of another motorist.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]

Good evening, I'm Teresa Hamilton.

[Vinton-Police]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jen/tha]
[TAPE#=01-62 TC-1:36:36]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]
State police are handling the investigation-- which involves a Vinton police officer.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vinton;]
They say officer John Munsey was attempting to pull a speeding motorist over-- when his cruiser collided with another car.
State police say 72- year old AUDREY Bryant St. Clair of Vinton was making a left hand turn INTO her driveway--- when
she was struck by the officer. St. Clair and her sister, 67 year old Mary Onita Bryant, later died at Roanoke Memorial. Officer Munsey suffered minor injuries and was released from the hospital. The crash happened shortly before midnight-- near the intersection of Route 24 and Washington Avenue.
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[anchor=Teresa]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Vinton police chief Herb Cooley says he and his staff are devasted by the accident-- and that their hearts go out to the victims' families.

[Forest-Fires]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-08 TC-29:07]
[GRAPHIC=Forest Fires]
The spring fire season is sparking a major concern. The Department of Forestry is already more than a million dollars over budget. And as Justin McLeod discovered the agency will most likely be getting less rather than more money.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Amherst Co./Thursday; :00]
[SUPER=01-Chris Thomsen/Dept. of Forestry; :12]
[SUPER=@justin1; :40]
[SUPER=01-Charles Hutsell/Regional Forester; 1:05]
[RUNS=1:29]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]
((((NAT SOUND OF FIRES FROM AMHERST COUNTY))
If this week's forest fire in Amherst County is any indication, we are in for a long and dangerous spring fire season.
[SOT 2:22:17]
[IN Q=We need the rest of]
((CHRIS THOMSEN/DEPT. OF FORESTRY: WE NEED THE REST OF OUR TWO FEET OF SNOW OR WE NEED TROPICAL FRONT TO COME THROUGH HERE WITH 9 INCHES OF TROPICAL MOISTURE. WE NEED SIGNIFICANT MOISTURE.))
[Runs= :07]
[OUT Q=significant moisture]

Moisture that so far is hard to find.
The state's chief climatologist said this weekend we could be looking at a record breaking drought this year.
That could lead to more forest fires that last longer and with stronger intensity.
[SOT 2:11:46]
[IN Q=Fighting forest fires]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: FIGHTING FOREST FIRES IS A COSTLY ONE. TYPICALLY, THE FORESTRY DEPARTMENT WILL SPEND ROUGHLY 400-THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR FIGHTING FOREST FIRES. THIS FALL ALONE, THE DEPARTMENT SPENT A MILLION DOLLARS AND COULD SPEND EVEN MORE THIS SPRING.))
[Runs= 16]
[OUT Q=this spring]

By the end of this year, the Department of Forestry expects to be more than three million dollars over budget.
This comes at a time when the Governor is asking the agency to cut its budget by nearly eight percent.
Regardless, forestry officials say fighting fires will not be compromised.
[SOT 4:59:07]
[IN Q=The bottom line is]
((CHARLES HUTSELL/REGIONAL FORESTER: THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE WILL PUT THE FIRES OUT AND WE WILL CONTINUE ON LIKE WE HAVE IN THE PAST.))
[Runs= 05]
[OUT Q=in the past]

But in the future, the department may have to cut positions, programs, and not replace worn equipment.
The Department of Forestry has applied for a FEMA grant to help pay for this year's fire season.
But in the end, the federal and state governments cannot provide what they need the most, that's rain, and only mother nature can provide it.
Justin McLeod, News 7.))

[Hardees-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-54 TC-2:02:00]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

The investigation continues into a fire that destroyed a local fast food restaurant.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Firefighters responded just before 1:30 this morning to the Hardees on Wards Road in Lynchburg.
They arrived to find flames shooting from the roof.
It took crews more than three hours to put out the blaze.
The restaurant was closed when the fire started.
The building is a total loss and the cause is still under investigation.
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[Halifax-Fires]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-57 TC-1:35:20]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Many police departments and sheriff's offices rely on crime lines to gather tips from the public.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Halifax; ]
Halifax County has an anonymous crime line-- and offers money for information leading to an arrest or conviction. Sheriff Jeff Oakes says it's a system that works especially in the case of bigger crimes.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:08:40]
[IN Q=We assign a number ]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Oakes/Halifax Co. Sheriff; ]
((JEFF OAKES/HALIFAX CO. SHERIFF; WE ASSIGN A NUMBER TO THE CALLER AND IF THE INFORMATION WORKS OUT WE PUT AN AD IN THE PAPER THAT SAYS CALLER 1,2,3 PLEASE CONTACT SHERIFF'S OFFICE WE HAVE MONEY FOR YOU FOR YOUR INFORMATION.))
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=for your information.]
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[anchor=Teresa]
[ss=none]
The Halifax County crime line number is 434- 476- TIPS.

[Dutch-Inn]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-07 TC-25:50]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A Henry County landmark destroyed by fire is getting a new lease on life.
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[VO-NAT]

It has been nearly a year since a fire destroyed part of the Dutch Inn in Collinsville.
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.]

The rebuilding process recently began with the construction of a new central building.
The hotel's trademark windmill will be back but the windmill tower will not be rebuilt.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:36]
[IN Q=The cost involved]
((HOWARD GRODENSKY/DUCTH INN OWNER: THE COST INVOLVED MADE IT PROHIBITIVE BECAUSE WE JUST HAVE A SET AMOUNT OF MONEY TO WORK WITH AND WE FELT WE COULD SPEND THE MONEY BETTER THIS WAY IN AREAS THAT WOULD BE REVENUE GENERATING AND WE HAD TO MAKE A TOUGH DECISION BUT WE HAD TO MAKE THAT DECISION.))
[SUPER=01-Howard Grodensky/Dutch Inn Owner]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=make that decision]
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[VO-NAT]

Once completed, the new two-story building will house offices, a restaurant and lounge, as well as bigger banquet and catering facilities.
The project will cost more than three million dollars and should be completed by early September.
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[MLK-Road]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-01 TC-1:00:29]
[GRAPHIC=MLK Jr.]

Plans to honor Martin Luther King Junior in Danville have hit another roadblock.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/January, 2001]

A Danville man wants to rename the South Main, Central Boulevard, Piney Forest Road corridor after the civil rights leader.
But the city's naming commission says the address change could have a negative impact on businesses along the roadway.
So the commission has recommended choosing another roadway such as the Liberty View neighborhood or the Route 58 bridge over the Route 29 bypass.
(------------)
[anchor=Teresa]
[ss=none]

City council is expected to take up the issue at its March 5th meeting.

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[SS=NONE]
Still ahead on News 7 at 6, it's an age old debate, creation versus evolution. A seminar at Virginia Tech was trying to find some answers...
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
and also, some local athletes were trying to score big for a good cause... More on that in just a few minutes... but first, a beautiful day outside, let's get a check on the forecast with Jacey...
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[Special-Olympics]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-58 TC-1:24:15]
[GRAPHIC=Special Olympics]

Salt Lake City is not the only place you'll find Olympians.
More than two hundred athletes competed for gold in Blacksburg today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg]

The Special Olympics held its annual regional basketball tournament on the campus of Virginia Tech.
Teams from all over southwest Virginia competed in full-court and half-court basketball.
Medal winners from this contest now advance to the state basketball championships which are scheduled to take place next month in Fredericksburg.
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[NBC]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=02-10 TC-06:40]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The National Bank of Commerce is adding a regional advisory board to its mix.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

N-B-C is headquartered in Tennessee, and is overseen by board members in that area.
This is the first time the bank has allowed a regional division to form its own board.
The Roanoke Advisory board will be comprised of four members who will analyze the bank's customer service and community involvement qualities.
NBC says it only makes sense to get opinions from local residents, especially since expansion is on the horizon in the Valley.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[tc:06:05:17 NBC TAPE]
[IN Q=We're continually]
((JIM BECKNER/NBC REGIONAL PRESIDENT: WE'RE CONTINUALLY LOOKING AT EXPANSION OURSELVES, AND I THINK TO STAY INDEPENDENT, YOU JUST KEEP DRIVING EARNINGS AND YOU'LL BE SUCCESSFUL.))
[SUPER=01-Jim Beckner/NBC Regional President]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=be successful.]
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[VO-NAT]

NBC hopes the board creates a forum for exchange about what it does right and wrong in the banking industry.
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[Feedback]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=FdBack - :35:34]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 Feedback]

The anniversary of Dale Earnhardt's death, and a series on OxyContin, brought some mail from our viewers last week.
Here's assignment editor Joe McKean with Feedback.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Animation Open]
[SUPER=03-Daytona Beach, FL/This Month; :05]
[RUNS=1:07]
[OUT Q=Animation Close]
((The attention the late racing great got a year after his fatal crash prompted a viewer from Hurt (Phyllis Dawson) to write:
"They are acting like he's a god. It's bad he got killed but he's no better than anyone else, including the other race car drivers that lost their lives. What are they, chopped liver? Where is their stature?"
Our in-depth look at the perils, and promise of the powerful painkiller OxyContin got this response from a viewer (Heather Thurman) in Buena Vista:
"OxyContin has helped me so much and the fact that people are abusing it makes me sick. The guy on your story is really what compelled me to write because he was shameless and almost proud that he is getting away with abusing this drug. It is sad that the actions of this guy and others like him are going to jeopardize the legitimate purposes for which this drug was originally intended."
We appreciate your insights on our news coverage, or issues in the news. Send them to us by mail...fax...or email.
Joe McKean, News-7.))

[Tease#2]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[SS=NONE]
Maryland slips past Wake Forest, and the Winston Cup circuit hits the Rock... Roy Stanley will have highlights in sports....
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
And, students at one local high school aren't jumping for joy, but are trying to make the best of the situation when half the students "split" to a new school. The story when we return.
(----------------)

[Debate]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-09 TC-24:19]
[GRAPHIC=none]
It's a debate that's been around since the age of Darwin. It centers on whether God created us or whether we evolved from ape-like creatures.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg]

Today, Virginia Tech's Campus Bible Fellowship held a creation versus evolution debate.
The ogranization arranged to have two nationaly known speakers, one to represent the creation perspective and one for the evolution point of view.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:33:28]
[IN Q=It's imporant to educate]
((SOLOMON GIFFORD/ORGANIZER: IT'S IMPORTANT TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC. WE WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW AND BE ABLE TO CHOOSE WHY THEY BELIEVE WHAT THEY BELIEVE OR WHY THEY THINK WHAT THEY THINK AND ALSO IF SOMEONE COMES UP TO THEM AND TRIES TO PUSH THEIR IDEAS ON THEM THAT THEY CAN COME BACK WITH AN ANSWER.))
[SUPER=01-Solomon Gifford/Organizer]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=with an answer]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The two hour debate ended with a question and answer session.
Nearly a thousand people came out for today's program.
(------------)

[Cave-Spring]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=VA Prof. #5 TC-58:50]
[GRAPHIC=VA Profiles]

Half of the Cave Spring High School student body will be shifted to Hidden Valley High next year because of overcrowding in the Roanoke County School.
In this week's Virginia Profile, Jennifer Miele found that some kids are flipping for the change.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Cave Spring High]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Elizabeth Layman/Cave Spring Student; :14]
[SUPER=01-Stephen Hughes/Cave Spring Student; :27]
[SUPER=01-Shannon Stanger/Cave Spring Coach and Teacher; :47]
[SUPER=@jennifer1; 1:11 (QUICK!)]
[RUNS=1:34]
[OUT Q=JM News 7.]
(( Cave Spring High cheerleaders Elizabeth Layman and Stephen Hughes have been best friends since the fourth grade...
They and 700 other students will make the switch next year to Hidden Valley High.
[SOT]
[17:10:57] ((ELIZABETH LAYMAN: I THINK NEXT YEAR SINCE WE'LL ALL BE AT A NEW SCHOOL, WE'LL ALL BE AT THE SAME LEVEL. IT WILL BE REALLY NICE TO KNOW YOU HAVE A BEST FRIEND THERE THAT YOU CAN COUNT ON IF YOU NEED THEM.))
[RUNS= 07]

While the decision to split the school wasn't something students cheered at first -- many now see it as a welcomed change.
[SOT]
[TC:17:08:44] ((STEPHEN HUGHES: I WAS KIND OF WORRIED BECAUSE I'M ALSO A FOOTBALL PLAYER TOO, AND SPLITTING FROM A TEAM, BUT IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT.))
[RUNS= 10]

New mascot... Titans. New colors... blue and gold. New challenges... no problem.
Just ask teacher and cheerleading coach Shannon Stanger.
[SOT]
((YOU LOVE THESE GIRLS?.... SHANNON STANGER: I DO, AND ALL THE GIRLS ARE GREAT NO MATTER WHAT SCHOOL THEY GO TO. IT'S GOING TO BE A REBUILDING YEAR ANY TIME YOU MAKE A CHANGE, FOR ALL THE SPORTS TEAMS.))
[RUNS= 10]

Coaches say it shouldn't be hard to rebuild because there is so much talent ... Football, boys swimming and girls indoor track were all District Champs this year.
And academically, an average of 90 percent of the student body is accepted and enrolls in post secondary programs. [tc:17:22:26] ((JENNIFER MIELE/REPORTING: EVEN THOUGH HALF OF THIS SQUAD WILL GO THE NEW SCHOOL NEXT YEAR, THEY SAY IT WON'T DIVIDE THEIR FRIENDSHIPS.))
[RUNS= 06]
[sot]
[TC:17:11:45] ((ELIZABETH/STEPHEN: BUT THEY'LL ALWAYS BE YOUR FRIENDS, NEXT YEAR, I'LL BE THE SAME WAY I AM NOW. JUST CALL THEM ON THE WEEKENDS AND SAY LET'S HANG OUT. STEPHEN: IT WON'T CHANGE. I'LL STILL HANG OUT WITH THOSE PEOPLE.))
[RUNS= 11]

The kids say teamwork will make this change work.
Jennifer Miele, News 7.))

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=Sports Tease]
[GRAPHIC=Sports Tease]

In sports, Michigan State scores a big basketball win this afternoon scores and highlights from College basketball and the N-B-A.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

And the Winston Cup Drivers tackled the Rock this afternoon in the second race of the season.
(------------)

[S-Rock]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-112 (1:02:04)]
[GRAPHIC=The Rock]

A caution with 4 laps to go set up the win for Matt Kenseth he takes the checkered flag in the Subway 400.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rockingham, NC/FOX SPORTS; :]

Last weeks Daytona 500 winner Ward Burton was chasing Jeff Green for second place with 316 laps to go.
But the point man was Ricky Craven he was leading the race with 301 to go running up on traffic on the track Burton was second.
Dale Jarrett pulled to the front but he blew an engine while he was leading with 250 laps to go in the race.
Then several laps later Jeff Gordon taps Casey Atwood in the rear it causes several cars to crash bringing out the third caution of the day.
Jeff Green, who was running up front early, was the leader just past the half way mark of the race.
Jeff Gordon was making a move on the track he got all the way to 11-th with 122 to go.
But the Caution came out with 4 to go and Matt Kenseth rolls across the line winning the Subway 400.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="That last....]
[SUPER=01-Matt Kenseth/Subway 400 Winner; :]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=.....our way."]
[ANCHOR=Roy]
[GRAPHIC=Hold Logo]

Sterlin Marling was second, Bobby Labonte third, Tony Stewart fourth and Rick Craven fifth.

[S-Duke]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-120 (26:25)]
[GRAPHIC=ACC Logo]

The Duke Blue Devils took a break from A-C-C action this afternoon hosting the Red Storm of St. John's.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Durham, NC/CBS SPORTS; :]

The Blue devils fell behind early in the game.
St. John's gets it inside pulling down the offensive rebound and scoring to make it 20 to 13 Red Storm.
But the Blue Devils went on a run. Jason Williams takes it inside and scores cutting the lead to five.
Then the Devils kick it outside and this Ewing three pointer and the Blue Devils took a 3 point lead.
[SUPER=33-Duke#3/97/St. John's/55/; :]

On this play Mike Dunleavy gets the steal and takes it to the hoop for the jam and Duke goes on to win it 97 to 55.
(------------)

[S-Terps]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-106 (1:32:20)]
[GRAPHIC=ACC Logo]

Wake Forest called a time out but they had none and Maryland's Juan Dixon hit a free throw and the Terps slip by the Deamon Deacons 90 to 89.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-College Park, MD/RAYCOM; :]

Gary Williams watches as his team trails in the first half.
Wake's Craig Dawson hits the three pointer and the Deacons maintained a 2 point lead.
But the Terps come back as Bryon Mouton drives and scores off the glass but the Terps trailed by 10 at the half.

But the Terps rallied in the second half Steve Blake drives to the hoop and scores to tie it at 68 to 68 with 10 minutes left.
Wake Forest answered that basket Dawson pulls up and hits the three pointer the Deacons led by 3.
[SUPER=33-Maryland#2/90/Wake Forest/89/; :]

The score was tied when the time out was called Dixon hits one of 2 and the Terps win it 90 to 89.
(------------)

[S-State]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-114 (1:06:43)]
[GRAPHIC=College Hoops]

Michigan State played its way into the N-C-Double-A tournament with a 57 to 54 win over 23-rd ranked Indiana.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-East Lansing, MI/CBS SPORTS; :]

Tom Izzo's Spartans trailed for most of the second half.
But when Chris Hill takes it to the hoop gets the roll and scores the Spartans trailed 36 to 34.
State cut the lead to 1 but Indiana's Jared Jeffries takes it to the hoop and banks it in off the glass and the Hoosiers went back up by 3.
[SUPER=33-Michigan St./57/Indiana#23/54/; :]

But the Spartans get it to Adam Bellanger he hits the three pointer to tie it and the Spartans win it at the line 57 tot 54.
(------------)

[S-Scores]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=NBA Logo]

Shaquille O'Neal scored 30 and Kobe Bryant 27 to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 107 to 91 win over the New York Knicks.
And here are this afternoon's N-B-A and College scores.
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[MOTION]
[SUPER=#556]
[SUPER=X5028;]
[SUPER=0096-j/L.A. Lakers/107//New York/91////Detroit/82/j/Milwaukee/89///;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0096-/Charlotte/93/j/New Jersey/95///;]
[SUPER=X5027;]
[SUPER=0098-/Wake Forest#20/89/j/Maryland#2/90////St. John's/55/j/Duke#3/97///;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0098-/Indiana#23/54/j/Michigan St./57///j/Kansas#1/88//Nebraska/87///;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=.....last score."]
(----------------)

[S-Catholic]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-115 (46:40)]
[GRAPHIC=High School hoops]

J.R. Reynolds hit 35 points as Roanoke Catholic wins the Catholic state tournament with a 90 to 86 win over Benedictine in Overtime.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Catholic vs Benedictine; :]

The Benedictine Keydets being introduced.
The Celtics come out J.R. Reynolds gets the pass on the break but pulls up and hits the three pointer.
The Keydets go out side when Patrick Hill nails his own three pointer,
Then off the inbound pass Tadas Mankevicius hits the mid range jumper for the Celtics.
[SUPER=33-Roanoke Catholic/90/Benedictine/86/; :]

The Keydets Vernon Hamilton drives down court pulls up from the foul line and hits the jumper but Roanoke Catholic goes on to win it 90 to 86 in overtime.
(------------)