Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 3, 1991 TAG: 9103030197
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B10 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
The senior swingman scored 11 points in the first 4 1/2 minutes after intermission. The scoring surge allowed the Indians to surge past Carroll County 65-48 in the final of the New River District basketball tournament at Radford University's Dedmon Center.
Both Blacksburg (18-4) and Carroll County (16-7) will advance to next week's Region IV tournament.
The victory gave the Indians their 18th district tournament title in 31 years and third victory against the Cavaliers in as many games this season.
Blacksburg led 28-25 early in the third quarter when Lester went to work. In a three-minute span, he made a pair of 3-pointers from the left wing, a 3-pointer from the top of the key, and a 2-point basket from the right wing.
When Lester was done, the Indians led 41-27 with 3 1/2 minutes to go in the quarter and they were well on their way to the win.
"I've felt good the whole tournament," said Lester, who finished with four 3-pointers and 26 points. "I wanted to have a good tournament, but I was in foul trouble most of the time. But I had my stroke. [And in the second half], they didn't come out and cover me, so I shot it. And I probably forced a few, too."
While Lester was hot, the Cavaliers were cold. They scored just five points in the third quarter, going 2-of-8 from the field and 1-of-5 from the free-throw line.
"I don't know," Carroll County coach Patrick Sharp said. "We've been having one quarter like that all year. . . . We had one bad period and we couldn't get out of it."
The scoring slump for the Cavaliers started in the second quarter. Blacksburg's defense allowed it to take the lead for good, and the Indians stiffened over the last 5 1/2 minutes of the half to open a 28-24 lead at intermission.
Carroll County scored eight points in a 90-second span to take an 18-16 lead with 5:51 left in the half. It was the first time it had led since the opening minute.
But Blacksburg held the Cavaliers scoreless the next 2 1/2 minutes, and Carroll County made only two of 11 field-goal attempts and scored six points the rest of the half.
Center Jon Maher keyed Blacksburg's defense with five defensive rebounds.
"Coach [Bob Trear] told us to move our feet," said Maher, who pulled down 13 rebounds and scored 17 points. "We wanted us to stay between our man and the basket. And when they took a shot, he wanted us to block out and get the rebound."
Offensively in the second-quarter surge, Maher scored six points and three other Indians chipped in.
Matt Montgomery paced Carroll County with 17 points. He had six of the Cavaliers' 12 baskets. see microfilm for box score
by CNB