Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 6, 1992 TAG: 9203060337
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-9 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CHRIS BACHELDER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Buffaloes, regular season champions of the Mountain Empire District, will face Covington tonight in a Region C semifinal matchup at Lord Botetourt High School.
Lebanon and James River clash in tonight's other Region C game. The semifinal winners will each secure a spot in the state playoffs, and will meet for the region title Saturday night. The Group A quarterfinals, also at Lord Botetourt, begin next week.
Floyd received a bye to the region semifinals, while Covington received a miracle. The Cougars trailed George Wythe by 15 in the second half before storming back for a 67-58 win.
"It was a great win and one of the best comebacks we've ever had here," said 12th-year Covington coach Brad Morton.
"Hopefully, we've gotten the nervousness out now. From that standpoint, I think the game helped us. I don't foresee a letdown."
Offensively, the Cougars go eight players deep, with each of the starting five averaging in double-figures in scoring. Senior center Tony Jeter and senior forward Neal Dressler lead that balanced force.
Defensively, Morton said his team will concentrate on slowing down Floyd's super backcourt of point guard Travis Crawford and shooting guard Fred Via.
"We have a real team concept here," Morton said. "It seems there is always somebody different to pick us up each time we need it.
"We're not going to do anything differently on Friday. Nobody does at this stage of the season. You just play your game and hope that it's good enough to get you through."
Floyd is making its second straight regional appearance under coach Alan Cantrell, and the Buffaloes are the Mountain Empire's last hope.
Grayson County, the MED's tournament champ, fell to James River 53-52 Wednesday night.
by CNB