Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 19, 1992 TAG: 9203190050
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Long
That's because the RVD teams would get to the state, only to lose immediately. They didn't have the respect of other schools.
When Cave Spring and Pulaski County play in the Group AAA semifinals this afternoon, they'll have plenty of respect. In the past two years, the Knights and Cougars have proven that the RVD is no longer a have-not league.
"I don't think the Roanoke Valley District will sneak up on people," said Cave Spring coach Dave Layman, whose Knights battle Phoebus at 1 p.m. in the first semifinal game at University Hall. "To have two teams in the final four for two straight years, we're probably getting some respect."
Cave Spring was knocked out by James Madison in last year's semifinals while Pulaski County edged Phoebus. Then the Warhawks beat the Cougars in the championship game.
A year later, Cave Spring ended Madison's dreams of back-to-back state finals. The Knights beat the Warhawks 69-59 in a first-round game that should knock 25th-rated Madison out of the USA Today national rankings scheduled to be released today.
"Last Saturday was a great day for the Roanoke Valley. We both turned back teams from the Northern Region," said Pulaski County coach Rod Reedy, whose Cougars take on Petersburg at 2:45 p.m. in the second semifinal game.
If both teams win, it will earn them a sixth meeting this season. More important, it will assure the RVD of its first girls' basketball state title.
Reedy says the development of AAU and recreation league basketball teams for girls is the reason the Knights and Cougars have become state powers.
"We've kind of followed Cave Spring," Reedy said. "Those AAU teams have gotten so many girls playing at a young age. As we've grown, we've gotten better and we've challenged Cave Spring. We've made them better and all this in turn puts pressure on the other teams [to get better] in the Roanoke Valley District."
Cave Spring's task is the more difficult assignment. The Knights must stop 6-foot-3 junior La-Keisha Frett, a Parade All-American who is regarded as the country's best player in her class. Frett averages 30 points and 15 rebounds a game.
"Basically, we don't want her to have a great game," said 6-2 Cave Spring forward Lisa Hodges. "We're going to double team her a lot, though [6-1] Amy Athey will be guarding her. If we can hold her scoring down and make sure no one else from their team scores that much, we'll be OK."
Hodges has come on strong during the tournaments, and kept Cave Spring in the game last weekend against Madison until help arrived from junior guard Kim Stewart.
"Nikki Clowers [Cave Spring's only other senior besides Hodges] was pushing me hard. At the half of the Madison game, just as we were about to go out, she said, `Do you realize this could be the last time you'll play in high school?' " Hodges recalled.
"I want to go out with a state championship. I've been here four years and I think it's about time we won one."
Phoebus coach Mike Tallon saw the Knights a year ago when they lost to Madison. He's impressed with Hodges. "She can go inside and outside. But the big difference for them this year is the freshman point guard [Aimee Beightol]," said Tallon.
This is Cave Spring's fourth consecutive trip to the state and Pulaski County's second. In two years, the Cougars have lost only to Cave Spring and James Madison while turning back all other teams.
In Petersburg, the Cougars must control 6-0 center Melanie Noise (15.4 ppg., 11.7 rpg.) and freshman guard Danielle Dawson (12.8 ppg.).
The Cougars never turn in flashy statistics. Shooting percentages are low. What sets Pulaski County apart, according to Reedy, is toughness and being prepared.
"What we have done is found a way to be successful," said Reedy. "At this stage of the season, we're about as tough and prepared mentally as we can be. Part of that has to do with last year's experience. Going all the way through the region and to the state championship game has paid big dividends."
Then there is Terri Garland, the point guard who can't be measured by points scored or shooting percentages.
"She's the heart of our team," said Reedy. "She runs the show. If she has to score, she scores. If she has to get it to somebody else, she gets it to somebody else. If we just have to stop somebody from the other team, Terry does that too."
The best illustration came last week when the 5-7 Garland was put on 6-1 Julie Wight, who is a fine 3-point shooter. Garland held her to 13 points and kept her from dominating the game.
Cindy Martin is Pulaski County's other double-figure scorer and 6-0 Lena Jones is a very good defensive player. Still, it's Garland that Petersburg will have to stop.
"Terri's better than any high school girls' player in the state at taking the ball from foul line to foul line," said Reedy. "She's quicker and faster than anyone else at that. If you don't squeeze [the defense] to stop her, she's better at penetrating than anybody else in high school. Right now she's really seeing the floor, making some great passes while going full speed."
by CNB