Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 16, 1991 TAG: 9102160376
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B/2 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: JOHN SMALLWOOD SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Mountaineers coach Jimmy Smith said he had few doubts his basketball team could compete with the Vikings, but as most teams have found this season, knowing what to do against the Vikings and doing it are two different things.
But as most teams have found out this season, knowing what to do against the vikings and doing it are two different things.
Sophomore forward John Baker scored a game-high 29 points Friday night, and Northside's in-your-face defense shut down Alleghany's attack.
The Vikings, ranked No. 2 in Group AA, clinched at least a tie for the Blud Ridge District regular season title with an 84-62 drubbing of Alleghany.
"When you go against them, you've got to be ready mentally and physically," Smith said. "They're such a good defensive team. They're always on you. You take a physical beating from them all night, and eventually it gets to you mentally."
The way Northside (17-1 overall, 6-0 in the district) is playing these days, the Vikings need only to find one chink in an opponent's armor to exploit a game.
In the case of Alleghany (11-7, 5-2), it was the Mountaineers' inability to contend with pressure defense.
Northside's man-to-man pressure forced 24 turnovers, and the extended defense from guards Curtis Ballard and Chad Briscoe cut off the Mountaineers' ability to shoot 3-pointers, an integral part of their offense.
"That's how we play," Northside coach Billy Pope said. "It wasn't something we did special for this game. We wanted to keep the pressure on. We feel like each night we have to play as tough as we can on defense. Sometimes our offense might slip, but our defense has been there each night."
Alleghany was smothered. The Mountaineers made 23 of 58 field-goal attempts (39.1 percent) and got off just eight 3-point attempts, making one.
"Their defense is what makes them go," Smith said. "You've got to play well offensively to beat them. We were never able to find any offensive consistency. We played well in spurts."
Not good enough against Northside. The Vikings don't let teams get away with being inconsistent.
With the score 24-24 midway through the second quarter, the Mountaineers sputtered and Northside used a 12-3 run to go up 36-27.
Ron Glass put the Vikings ahead 37-29 by making a free throw with six seconds left in the first half. Alleghany immediately turned the ball over. Baker hit a stickback shot at the buzzer to give Northside a 10-point cushion.
Baker and Ballard each scored four points during an 8-2 run to start the third quarter that left Alleghany down 47-31 and staggering.
"Coach Pope told us at halftime not to let up," Baker said. "When we get a lead, he tells us to come back with super intensity. We had nice run to start the second half and get us a working margin."
Alleghany got no closer than nine points the rest of the game. Baker made sure there would be no fourth-quarter rally by sinking three 3-pointers as Northside pulled away.
Offensively, the Vikings were an excellent example of inside-outside basketball.
Nine of the Vikings' first 10 field goals came from inside the lane. Northside then stepped outside and hit six 3-pointers, including four from Baker.
Briscoe added 13 points and Glass 11 for Northside. Michael Hunter, Todd Wheatley, Jason Buzzard and Jamie Bazzrea each scored 10 for Alleghany.
ALLEGHANY (62)
Stone 3 0-0 6, D. Wheatley 4 1-2 9, Hunter 3 3-4 10, T. Wheatley 4 2-3 10, Buzzard 4 2-2 10, Vail 0 4-6 4, Bragg 1 1-3 3, Bazzrea 4 2-2 10. Totals 23 15-22 62.
NORTHSIDE (84)
Briscoe 3 6-6 13, Baker 9 7-7 29, Ballard 2 2-2 6, Taylor 1 1-2 3, Glass 3 5-9 11, Burke 4 2-3 10, Howell 1 1-2 3, Burford 3 0-1 7, Porter 0 0-2 0, Porterfield 1 0-0 2. Totals 27 24-34 84. Alleghany 18112013-62 Northside 20192124-84 Three-point goals: Hunter, Baker 4, Briscoe, Burford. Total fouls: Alleghany 23, Northside 18.
by CNB