Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 28, 1991 TAG: 9102280453
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: BEDFORD/FRANKLIN
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Eagles' 5-foot-9 guard scored a career-high 19 points in a 67-65 victory against Pulaski County in a first-round Roanoke Valley District basketball tournament game Wednesday. It was Franklin County's second victory in 22 outings, ending a 13-game losing streak stretching back to the I-95 holiday tournament in which it beat Bishop Ireton.
Franklin County led most of the game, by up to 10 points. However, Pulaski County (10-12) started chipping away in the final minute and actually had a chance to tie when Kevin Alexander missed a 3-point attempt with five seconds left.
"I looked up at the clock with 45 seconds left and it seemed as if it stayed there forever," said Underwood, whose Eagles led 65-58 at that juncture. "I didn't want to go away losing because it's been a long time since Christmas."
Perry Beverly followed Alexander's miss to cut Franklin County's lead to 66-65, but Ted Holstrom made one free throw with two seconds left and the Cougars never got off a shot for the tie after rebounding the missed second attempt.
Underwood continually drove the middle as he made eight of 13 shots from the floor, including a desperation 3-point goal just before the half that banked in. Usual Franklin County scoring leader Kenny Wade also had 19 points, but it was Underwood, with five field goals in the final quarter, who pushed the Cougars out of the tournament.
"It [the middle] was so open that our center [Tim Gill] could drive through," Underwood said. "They had no help-side [defense]. It was open all night."
Holstrom added: "We looked at the tapes [of the regular-season games] to see how many times they took charges. They didn't stand in there and I don't think they took a charge tonight."
Pulaski County coach Pat Burns just shook his head. "We played a zone and then a man-to-man. He [Underwood] drove on both," he said. "He banked that 3-point shot outside [before the half] and I don't think he called it. He had a career game.
"But it wasn't just defense. We didn't play well offensively. We didn't execute. I thought this team was better prepared than in a long time, but I saw some far-away looks on our kids' faces before the game. I just don't think we're committed to winning."
The Cougars made 24 turnovers against the Eagles' pressure defense. Franklin County connected on 25 of 52 shots from the floor, and both of those statistics made up for a 38-31 rebounding deficit.
The Cougars stayed in the game on 3-point shooting by Chris Burns, who made four of six, Alexander's passing that accounted for eight assists and free-throw shooting [17-of-21]. Reserve Malcolm Lewis made seven of nine in the final five minutes.
see microfilm for box score\ Seminole District\ Amherst County made 13 of 18 free throws in the fourth quarter and overtime and the Lancers defeated Jefferson Forest 73-70 in the first round at Rustburg High.
Amherst will face Altavista on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in one semifinal, while Brookville, an 87-63 winner against Buckingham County, takes on Nelson County tonight at 7:30 in the other semifinal.
Mike Ashley led Amherst (15-6) with 25 points and Charles McDaniel had 18, including four 3-pointers, before fouling out early in the fourth quarter.
Bryan Jennings led Jefferson Forest (9-12) with 15 points and Jason Crist added 13.
Brookville outscored Buckingham 53-29 in the second half to record its victory.
see microfilm for box score\ Mountain Empire\ Dale Marshall scored 24 points and had 20 rebounds, and Travis Crawford added 22 points to lead No. 3 seed Floyd County to a 72-54 victory against No. 6 Auburn in first-round action at Christiansburg High.
Also in the first round, Shawsville advanced by beating Grayson County 63-46.
The Shawnees will play Bland in a semifinal game at 7 p.m. on Friday. In the other semifinal, Floyd County will play Fort Chiswell at 8:30. All games are at Christiansburg.
Leading 31-28 at the half, Floyd (17-4) broke the game open by outscoring Auburn (7-14) 22-10 in the third quarter. Marshall paced the way with two 3-pointers.
Auburn was led by Jeff Chandler's 12 points.
Kenny Dow scored 17 and Joe Dowe and Wes Mullins each added 15 points to lead Shawsville (13-8). The Shawnees held Grayson County (12-10) to 12 points in the first half.
Devin Floyd led Grayson with 17 points.
see microfilm for box score
by CNB