Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 1, 1992 TAG: 9203010107
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: D10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN SMALLWOOD SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Although they have lost the past two and are 0-3 in championship games, the Wasps, who advanced to the final by beating Bridgewater 72-61 in a semifinal on Saturday, are treating their 3 p.m. date with Hampden-Sydney as just another game.
"I'm just happy to be here," said E&H coach Bob Johnson. "We're going to do everything we physically can to win the game, but whatever happens happens.
"This makes seven straight years that we've won 20 games. It won't ruin our season if we don't win this."
The Wasps (20-7) moved into the championship by withstanding a furious charge by Bridgewater (21-6) and pulling away down the stretch.
After the Eagles had cut a 14-point deficit to 53-52 with 5:58 left, Emory & Henry used an 11-3 run to re-establish a lead.
Former Northside High School players Derek Elmore and Jimmy Allen combined to score 15 of Emory & Henry's final 19 points.
Ross Kirtley ended a 12-0 Bridgewater spurt by making two free throws, then Elmore sank a 3-pointer.
Todd Rush, who finished with 27 points, scored for Bridgewater, but Elmore answered with a 15-footer.
Allen scored, Rush made a free throw and Elmore sank a driving lay up to put the Wasps up 64-55 with 1:41 remaining.
Allen, who finished with 20 points, scored Emory & Henry's next six points from the free throw line.
"That's the phase of the game when you have to concentrate more," said Elmore. "We did a good job of that today."
Bridgewater never completely recovered from a first half when it shot 28.6 percent. The Eagles, who led Division III in shooting at 53 percent, shot 37.5 percent for the game.
"We played so awful in the first half," said Bridgewater coach Bill Leatherman. "We dug a horrendous hole and didn't play very intelligently. We didn't play well except for that hanging-in-there period in the second half."
Dan Rush scored 12 for Bridgewater, and former Northside player Neil Burke added 10 points. \
see microfilm for box score
by CNB