Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 14, 1991 TAG: 9103140130
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
The Maroons (22-5) spotted Lancaster (18-8) an early 12-point lead, then roared back to win 91-75. The victory puts Wythe in Friday's semifinals against Cumberland, which routed Rye Cove 100-63.
Wythe's Geoff Goff shook off early foul problems to dish out 10 assists, one short of the state tournament record, as the outside part of Wythe's game.
He got the ball inside to 6-foot-4 Allen Green, who scored 17 points, and reserve forward J.R. Gilman, who added 18 on some short jumpers.
Wythe was down 27-15 late in the first quarter. Goff, with two personal fouls, reentered the game and Gilman also came off the bench. The pair sparked a 23-4 run to put Wythe ahead 38-33.
"They were bigger and stronger," said Lancaster coach Lloyd Carrier, whose team had committed 19 fouls to six for Wythe in the first half. "And that No. 20 [Goff] is the best point guard we've run into."
With Goff on the bench, Lancaster got its lead with a press that forced turnovers and some hot 3-point shooting on the part of Troy Henderson, who hit four of five shots in the opening half.
"We didn't know much about them and they ran three different presses at us. We felt we needed to get the ball inside, and it seemed we were starting our offense too far out," said Goff.
Carrier said, "Goff would wave everybody off and bring it up the court. That's the best way to beat a press."
Then Goff started getting the ball to Green and Gilman inside.
"We were having problems getting the ball to the wing positions to make the entry pass inside," said Wythe coach Al Copenhaver. "I knew if we could get the ball to the wing to make the entry pass to Green, we'd be OK."
Green did his part, scoring eight points during the spurt, but Gilman was the offensive spark, getting all of his points in the middle two quarters.
Copenhaver said he wishes the 6-5 Gilman would go inside more instead of taking jump shots.
"You feel like you're doing the right thing at the time," said Gilman, who had his spot marked 10-12 feet from the basket. "But coach is right. I should go in more for the inside shot because it's higher percentage."
Goff led all scorers with 27 points. He sank 11 of 14 free throws, including eight in a row in the final quarter. He was near the assists record with seven minutes left, but Wythe wasn't looking to score, only take time off the clock with a lead that had reached 21 (71-50).
see microfilm for box score
by CNB