Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 15, 1991 TAG: 9103150066
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
Because the Indians had enough height to keep the pressure on the Lancers' 6-foot-8 Hodge, they knocked off the No. 1 ranked Lancers 75-72 in overtime.
Hodge finished with 28 points and 26 rebounds, tying the Group AA single-game record for rebounds set by former University of Virginia standout Ralph Sampson.
The problem was that nearly all of Hodge's points came off rebounding. When the Lancers tried to pass the ball inside to him, they usually wound up with a turnover.
"Credit their defense. That's the toughest I've been played this year," said Hodge.
Southampton (23-4) went with 6-7 Doug Hines fronting Hodge and used 6-3 Gary Warren to give him help from behind.
"We like to think our big kid [Hines] is just as good as Hodge. He's averaging 20 points and 18 rebounds," said Southampton coach Randy Jessee, whose team advanced to tonight's semifinals against defending champion R.E. Lee, which beat Carroll County 75-60.
"I think he was getting frustrated because of the type of defense we had set for him," said Hines. "We were in a zone with pressure on the ball."
Still, Laurel Park had all kinds of chances to win. The Lancers committed 15 turnovers in the last quarter and overtime.
It was remarkable that the game ever went to overtime. Lemont Wells, who had 19 points and 16 rebounds to join Hodge in helping dominate the backboards 63-34, missed a shot with the Lancers down by three points and time expiring.
Hodge rebounded and had his follow-up blocked. The ball went to Deronde Hairston, who fired an off-balance 3-point shot that connected with seven seconds left to tie the score at 66.
In overtime, Hairston went in for a quick layup to put the Lancers ahead, but not for long. Hines hit two free throws, and James Lee followed a Laurel Park turnover with a layup, giving the Indians a 72-70 lead that they never surrendered.
Southampton still couldn't get a safe lead, though, missing three one-and-one free throws and the second shot of another bonus opportunity.
The Lancers got a final chance to tie when Lee missed his second one-and-one with eight seconds left. Hodge got the ball at the top of the key and fired a 3-pointer, but missed.
"I felt like it might go, but it was short," said Hodge. "I mess around with those in practice, but I do have some range from outside."
Hodge felt he had to take the last shot because Hairston and Wells had fouled out in overtime. Hairston's basket in the extra session ended a run of seven straight Laurel Park points he had scored.
It was a frustrating end for Laurel Park coach Frank Scott, whose team had been ranked No. 1 all season in going 25-2.
"I didn't think we got a fair shot. We should have shot more free throws," Scott said about a deficit that showed his team getting only 21 to 27 for Southampton. "I think the turnovers came because the kids got frustrated. I thought we showed patience, but we lost to a good team."
It also didn't help that the Lancers made only 2 of 16 shots from 3-point distance.
"I think Laurel Park is a lot like us," said Jessee, "in that they don't shoot that well from the outside."
Hodge summed up the end of the season.
"I feel sorry mostly for the seniors," said Hodge, the only junior starter for the Lancers. "But I'll be back to try for this again next year." see
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