Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 5, 1992 TAG: 9202050240
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
VIKINGS RALLY PAST CAVALIERS
Northside was on the ropes and all but counted out Tuesday in its annual Blue Ridge District boys' basketball bash with Lord Botetourt.The Vikings proved to be resilient with a furious second-half rally that set up Kelly Dampeer's 15-foot jumper with 2.5 seconds left to give Northside a 59-57 win. The Vikings overcame a 15-point deficit and withstood a furious barrage of 3-point goals by the Cavaliers in the third quarter.
Dampeer's goal gave Northside (13-3 overall, 4-0 district) a one-game lead in the Blue Ridge.
The game-winner ended a calm final 1:48 in which the Vikings held the ball and Botetourt (9-6, 3-1) showed no inclination to force the action.
"We weren't looking for anyone in particular," said Dampeer, although the Vikings' strongest outside shooters, Aaron Burford and Matt Hill, were on the floor.
Dampeer got a pass, sidestepped a charging Derek Loyd and let fly. "We were in a passing game, so anybody can shoot. I was praying when I shot, but I had confidence. I wouldn't have taken that shot if I didn't," Dampeer said.
The Vikings got their chance when Lord Botetourt's Bobby Prince, who didn't seem to be seriously hampered by a knee injury that had threatened to sideline him, missed a 3-footer in front of the basket with Jim Porter rebounding for Northside.
After a timeout, Northside only had to make five passes against Botetourt's passive defense.
"We started out to see if they'd try and score," Botetourt coach Don Meredith. "If they did, we were going to stay in man-to-man and not give up penetration. Once it got inside a minute, we wanted to go after the ball, make them put it on the floor or miss a shot. But we didn't face up to them and that's not what we wanted."
Botetourt dominated the first half, building a 29-14 lead. In the third quarter, when Northside cut its deficit to seven points, the Cavaliers' Loyd made three 3-point shots in less than three minutes as Botetourt went back on top 42-29.
"We got guys out there, but Loyd was just a tremendous shooter. At that point, though, we couldn't back away," Northside coach Billy Pope said. \
see microfilm for box score