by Archana Subramaniam by CNB
Roanoke Times Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: MONDAY, March 8, 1993 TAG: 9303080069 SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
FLEMING BOYS WILL PLAY AT HOME
After a spine-tingling Sunday in which officials at William Fleming had to fight for the use of their gym for the Group AAA Northwestern Region championship boys' basketball game, it was decided the Colonels' structure is OK.The Northwestern Region, which requires that gyms seat at least 1,200 people to play host to regional events, ruled at first that tonight's championship game between Fleming and Woodbridge would have to be moved.
After Fleming protested, citing the use of Fauquier County's gym for the title game a year ago against Patrick Henry, Fleming was allowed to play host to the game. Fleming AD Jim Easthom said the Roanoke fire marshall said the Fleming gym could hold 1,750. The Fauquier gym is about the same size as Fleming's, though the seating capacity is listed above 1,200. Fleming's capacity is listed at 800.
So tonight, the Fleming boys play host to Woodbridge at 7. Both teams are in the Group AAA tournament and will play the first round next weekend at a neutral site. Tonight's winner plays Hayfield; the loser, South Lakes.
The Cave Spring girls will be host to GW-Danville in the other regional championship contest. The Knights beat the Eagles twice during the season, on a last-second shot in Danville and in overtime at home.
Winning this game will be more important than normal. The loser faces Madison in a first-round game next weekend in the Northern Region. Madison upset nationally ranked Centreville in the semifinals and is considered - along with Phoebus - the team to beat in Group AAA.
On the other hand, tonight's winning girls' team faces W.T. Woodson in the first round of the state. Woodson upset West Springfield, but was considered no better than fourth in the Northern Region before last week's tourney started.