Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 3, 1993 TAG: 9303030212
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-10 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
COUGARS' HOPES HINGE ON BIG MAN
The opposing coaches agree: The big man looms large.When Pulaski County (17-6) tangles with host Halifax County (15-6) tonight in the opening round of the Group AAA Northwestern Region boys' basketball tournament, the Cougars' 6-foot-5 post man Chris Foster will be a key figure.
"He's going to give us a lot of trouble," Comets coach Don Thompson said. "He's big and strong and he can play."
Added Pulaski County coach Pat Burns: "I think they're going to have a problem with Foster. They like to play man-to-man, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them start out in a zone because of him. When he's right, he's tough to stop; I don't care who you are."
Foster had a sore ankle after Monday's 63-49 loss to William Fleming in the final of the Roanoke Valley District tournament, but is expected to be all right tonight.
With no starter taller than 6-2, Halifax definitely figures to have a matchup hassle. Burns said that may be overblown. "They are very good athletically," he said. "They jump well and they rebound well."
The key for the Comets is the so-called "Big Three," a trio of seniors who have played together since they were little kids. They are 6-2 guard Terence Jennings (21 ppg.), 6-2 forward Calvin Slayton (16 ppg., 10 rpg.) and 6-foot point guard Rodney Chandler (18 ppg.). All three are smart, good defenders, and are capable of delivering 3-pointers.
"Basically, we have to keep Slayton, Chandler and Jennings on the floor all the time if we're going to have a chance," Thompson said.
Defense is an emphasis for both teams. "We are not what you would call a powerful offensive team," Thompson said. "We hope to score in the 60s and hold the other team in the 50s."
Pulaski County has made it to its first regional since 1984 with a youth movement. Foster (14 ppg.) is a junior; leading scorer Eric Webb (16 ppg) is a sophomore, as is Ty Hash (13 ppg.).
"It's been hard getting there," Burns said. "I enjoyed going to the regionals the last three years in a row at Wytheville [George Wythe]. But not getting there for the past six years makes you appreciate it."
Halifax has been to regionals five of the past six years, advancing as far as the semifinals last year. "We should give them a pretty good ball game," Thompson said, "although their kids are much stronger than our's are."