Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 23, 1993 TAG: 9301230315
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
VIKINGS' RALLY SINKS SPARTANS
The names and faces are different, but the pattern is the same.Put Northside in a close, important Blue Ridge District boys' basketball game, and the Vikings find a way to win.
In the latest episode of perils with the Vikings, Northside charged from 13 points behind to nip Salem 66-62 on Friday night.
The architects of the rally were guards Kelly Dampeer and Nathan Hungate. They combined for 29 points, including 16 of Northside's 22 points in the fourth quarter, to leave the Vikings (12-1 overall, 3-0 Blue Ridge) in first place in the district standings.
Salem (8-2, 1-2) lost its second straight, both on the road. This time the Spartans played good defense and looked like a team to be reckoned with as the Blue Ridge District race heads into its third week.
"Our team just kept working. It was nothing fancy. I'll tell you it's unbelievable," said Northside coach Billy Pope, whose teams have played so many games that leave people rubbing their eyes to make sure they've really seen it.
Salem blew out to a 24-11 first-quarter lead behind Mark Byington and Josh Pugh. The Spartans led by 11 points twice in the third quarter and never trailed until the Vikings' Jimmy Porter hit a 3-point goal to give Northside a 59-58 lead midway through the final period.
"Their defense forced us into some turnovers, and they made a run," Byington said, explaining the Vikings' rally. "We played the best first quarter we've played all year, but this game is four quarters and we have to keep it up for four quarters."
Said Pope, "Salem played tremendous basketball. We tried everything, and nothing stopped them. I really don't know what turned it."
Hungate dealt out nine assists and had four steals to go with his points while Dampeer had three assists.
"We weren't working as a team," said Hungate. "We wanted to get it to Walt [Derey] more inside. Once we did that, that made it easier for us to drive on them."
Dampeer credited the comeback to determination.
"It doesn't matter who is on the court or who is the better athlete for us," he said. "It has to do with heart, and our team has some of the biggest hearts around."
At the other end, Pugh played perhaps the finest game of his career. The 6-foot-4 center hauled in 11 rebounds as Salem controlled the rebounding 45-34 and blocked two shots. He connected on 11 of 17 field-goal attempts and showed a couple of moves that he hadn't previously made on the court.
"Josh is getting into the basketball gear," said Salem coach Charlie Morgan. "I think you'll see his best games coming up."
After Porter's 3-pointer, Byington came right back with a layup to give the Spartans their last lead at 60-59. Dampeer got a layup, and, after two misses by Byington, Hungate hit from the corner with 2:55 left, giving the Vikings a three-point cushion.
Byington's jumper made it 63-62. After Derey hit a free throw, Greg Pickeral stole the ball and Dampeer was fouled. With 50 seconds remaining, he hit two free throws that ended the scoring.
The Vikings then missed three one-and-ones, but Salem never took advantage.
The Spartans hit 26 of 64 field-goal attempts, going 12-for-30 after halftime. Northside connected on 24 of 54 shots. Salem made 22 turnovers, three more than the Vikings.
"I think we got tired at the end," Morgan said. "You won't beat anyone with 22 turnovers. That's 22 times we didn't get a shot at the basket."