PULASKI COUNTY GIRLS HOPE THEIR POSTSEASON BASKETBALL IS STRONG

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 27, 1992                   TAG: 9202270065
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV8   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: CHRIS STEUART SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
PULASKI COUNTY GIRLS HOPE THEIR POSTSEASON BASKETBALL IS STRONG
The Pulaski County High School girls are poised for what they hope is another strong postseason basketball run.
The first test is the Roanoke Valley District tournament. The Cougars play William Fleming in the nightcap of tonight's double-header at Pulaski County.
In the 6:30 p.m. first game, the winner of Wednesday's Franklin County-Patrick Henry first round game tangles with top-seeded Cave Spring.
Pulaski County topped Fleming by comfortable margins in each of their three meetings this season. Cougars coach Rod Reedy said his team is not looking past the Colonels to the Lady Knights, though.
"The girls realize that a loss tonight ends the season," he said. "Fleming is a good rugged team and I expect a dogfight."
The winner meets the victor of the first semifinal in the finals of the Salem Civic Center at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
If seedings hold to form and the Cougars again meet the Knights in the final, it will be a continuation of the district's most vigorous rivalry.
Cave Spring won at home twice this season, the first in quadruple overtime and the second by 10 points.
Pulaski County prevailed 50-37 when Cave Spring visited Feb. 20, part of a four-game winning streak the Cougars carry into the tournament.
Pulaski County got hot in similar fashion last year, surging through the postseason all the way to the Group AAA final. The Cougars were beaten by James Madison in the championship game, ending the most glorious year in the history of the Pulaski County program.
According to coach Rod Reedy, this year's edition is peaking at the right time too.
"The seniors and the players that have been there before are turning up the heat," he said.
Among those players are senior tri-captains Terri Garland, Lena Jones and Cindy Martin.
Garland, the Lady Cougars point guard and a Virginia Tech recruit, packs an offensive punch. She shot almost 43 percent from the field and was second in the RVD in assists with 4.2 per game.
Jones, a 6-foot center, was fifth in the RVD averaging eight rebounds a contest and her 41.7 percent from the field was good for ninth.
"We need her averaging double figures," Reedy said. "She's always been a solid defensive player, but she's now gaining confidence at the offensive end."
The Lady Cougars have gotten solid play from the third senior captain, Martin. The 5-10 post player hit from the field second best in the RVD at a 52.4 clip and just behind Jones in rebounding with 7.8 per game.
Rounding out the senior contingent are guards Sonya Davidson and Jenny Skeen.
"Neither have high scoring averages," Reedy said. "What they do doesn't show up in the stats, but they are integral players who fill specific roles for us."
Those players will be called to action tonight.
"It helps that they have been down this road before," Reedy said. "They know what it takes."

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB