Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 29, 1992 TAG: 9202290217
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: RANDY KING SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: BASSETT LENGTH: Medium
BULLDOGS ADVANCE IN PIEDMONT
Husky Hall is officially the winningest boys' basketball coach in Virginia High School League history, but he could have cared less Friday night.The Martinsville coach had other things on his mind, like patting his Bulldogs on the back after an 81-75 victory over Magna Vista in the Piedmont District tournament semifinals at Bassett High School.
The victory was Hall's 530th, breaking the record of 529 that Ronald Skeens set at Thomas Walker.
"Ah, the record," Hall said. "That's been on TV and everything, but I haven't even thought about it to tell you the truth.
"The only thing it means is that I'm getting old. I'm getting like Richard Petty, I guess. It's going to be time to quit sometime."
Hall's Bulldogs never quit Friday night and thus prolonged their season. The victory earned Martinsville (19-3) a spot in tonight's Piedmont District title game against Laurel Park (21-2). Tipoff is at 7:30 at Bassett.
The Bulldogs lost twice in the regular season to the Odell Hodge-led Lancers, the state's No. 1-ranked Group AA team.
Friday's game was the big one, though. The win ensured Martinsville of a trip to the Group AA Region III tournament scheduled for March 3-6 at the Salem Civic Center.
"This was the one we wanted," Hall said. "The one [tonight] doesn't mean anything. We're hoping that we can play Laurel Park again [in the regional final]. Maybe we can learn something this time. They just have too much height for us to compete with them inside.
"Hey, it never gets old going to the regionals. We're proud to have the opportunity to go. This club has had some good games and some bad games this year. It's probably been the most unpredictable club I've ever had."
Balanced scoring got the job done for Martinsville. Senior guard Michael Frasier had 23 points, senior forward Demetriz Martin 20, senior guard Jason O'Dell 14 and sophomore forward Chris Frith 14.
The Bulldogs had too much experience for Magna Vista, a young team that finished its season 16-6.
"We're a senior team and they're a sophomore team," Hall said. "That helps in a big game like tonight's."
Martinsville led virtually the entire way but couldn't put away Jim Young's Warriors until the final minute.
After Magna Vista's Brian Taylor hit a 3-pointer to cut Martinsville's lead to 74-72 with 1:09 left, the Bulldogs put it away by making seven of 11 free throws.
Magna Vista's hopes were dashed when their 3-point attempts came up empty in the final minute. The Warriors had made eight from long distance to remain in touch with the Bulldogs until the final minute.
"We lost [Rodney] Redd on fouls and that hurt us at the end," Young said. "That and the fact they killed us on the boards. Martinsville got too many easy baskets.
"It just wasn't out night, that's all I can say."
Sophomore Evan Penn, who played most of the season on Magna Vista's junior varsity club, led the Warriors with 20 points. Taylor finished with 16, Redd 15 and Marcus Toney 14. \
see microfilm for box score