Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 24, 1992 TAG: 9203240111
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PHYLLIS A. FAIR SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
The several hundred Pulaski County fans spent most of the third quarter on their feet - with a lot to cheer about.
"C-O-U-G-A-R-S!" they spelled out dozens of times.
After being down 22-17 at halftime, the Cougars outscored Phoebus of Hampton 14-4 in the third quarter, and with each basket the fans' excitement grew. They could almost feel the victory with each Cougars point and every Phantoms turnover.
But Pulaski County's cheers turned to silence when Phoebus outscored the Cougars 13-7 in the fourth quarter to win the Group AAA girls' state basketball championship at University Hall on the campus of the University of Virginia.
The Cougars lost 39-38.
As the buzzer sounded, Pulaski County's senior guard, Terri Garland, sank to her knees, hands over her eyes to hide her tears. Garland's teammates went to her side. As the players slowly walked to the bench, they too sobbed.
It was the second consecutive year that Pulaski County played Phoebus in the state tournament. Last year, the Cougars beat the Phantoms in the semifinals, then lost the championship to James Madison 65-47.
The Pulaski County players had confidence they could win this time, and so did the fans who traveled two or three hours to see Pulaski County bring home a state title.
Sue Meredith and Joann Atkins traveled from Giles County to see Pulaski County play. The women are longtime friends of the family of Cougars senior forward Cindy Martin, and both were adamant in predicting who would be victorious.
"They're [the Cougars] going to win tonight," Meredith said. "We got the momentum."
Naomi Davidson, whose daughter Sonya plays for Pulaski County, predicted the Cougars would win because they are talented, have a good coach and play well together. And . . .
"We've been given a second chance, and I think we'll take it," Davidson said.
Michelle Davidson, Sonya's sister, said she was amazed at the success of the Cougars the past two years because the team wasn't very good when she was in school. She graduated in 1988.
"I'm surprised how good they are," Michelle Davidson said. "When I was there, I think they went 3-19. They definitely didn't have a winning season."
Alphonso Davidson, Sonya's father, said he wasn't surprised by the amount of support the Cougars have gotten from the county.
"These girls have done something that Pulaski County teams have never done," he said. "They've made a name for themselves."
Joe Bishop, whose daughter Laura plays for the team, said the community is dedicated to supporting girls' basketball, and fans and family show their commitment by traveling to away games.
Susie Cutlip, one of the school's librarians, called herself a big fan and said she had had faith Pulaski County would make it to the final.
"Our program has been growing," Cutlip said. "These girls are good. Some of our girls have been playing together for four years so they were ready to come back here."
Alphonso Davidson said the key to the Cougars winning the title would be stopping La'Keisha Frett. Frett is the Phantoms' 6-3 junior center and a Parade All-American averaging 30 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks per game.
Pulaski County did hold Frett to 14 points, but she had 19 rebounds and blocked six shots.
That sixth block doomed the Cougars. With six seconds to go, Frett blocked Lena Jones' shot. The Phantoms got the rebound and time expired, giving Phoebus the victory.
"It was a disappointing loss," said Don Ratcliff, a 1989 graduate of Pulaski County. "They played their hearts out."
Caroline VanSise, the mother of Cougars player Stacy VanSise, was disappointed in the loss but not in the girls.
"We're proud of them," she said. "They got a lot of heart and spirit, and we hope to be back next year."
by CNB