Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 24, 1993 TAG: 9302240082
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LEXINGTON LENGTH: Medium
ALLEGHANY FINDS SOLUTION
Rockbridge County High basketball coach Dan Lyons had eyed enough of Alleghany forward Michael Hunter's skills in two previous games to know he'd have his Wildcats spare no pains to prevent the left-hander from beating them again.Hunter didn't in the first round of the Blue Ridge District boys' basketball tournament Tuesday night at the Salem Civic Center. The rest of the Mountaineers were the headache in their 63-50 victory.
Alleghany, the No. 4 seed, got diverse contributions from eight other players and Hunter wiggled free from the man-to-man chaser in the Wildcats' zone to smooth in 17 points.
The Mountaineers (18-3) take on second-seeded Northside at 8:30 tonight in the semifinals. Rockbridge County completed its maiden basketball season 8-14.
In two previous wins over Rockbridge County, Hunter had skinned the 'Cats for 73 points.
"But it's ironic because tonight was the most we've beaten them by," Alleghany coach Jimmy Smith said.
Don't blame it on Rockbridge County's junk defense on Hunter.
"Junk?" Lyons said. "I thought it was pretty good defense. . . . We just tried to keep the ball away from Hunter because we didn't think that [Todd] Wheatley could hurt us that bad if we had three people free to help us inside."
Wheatley did his usual lunch-pail and punch-the-clock night's work inside and finished with 19 points, including a 3-pointer. Eight other Mounties scored, including Tommy Crawford and James Hughes, who combined for 12.
"I don't worry about [the special defense]," Hunter said. "I play team ball and, if I get a chance, I'll try to put the ball in the hole."
Alleghany spotted the quick-footed 'Cats a 6-0 lead, then proceeded to outscore them in every quarter.
"Physical strength and talent [worked in Alleghany's favor]," Lyons said. "We don't have a year-round weight program yet and we don't have the strength to keep up for 21 games.
"We've learned that we can compete in the Blue Ridge District, but to win, we need to get stronger."
Of the players who scored Tuesday, Rockbridge County loses only Kevin Alestock and Scott Reynolds to graduation. They had eight points between them. Returning are Kenny Lewis, who scored 15, and Marty Early, who added 10.
"They gave us some of our best games this year," Wheatley said. "They're quick, they keep coming at you, and they don't give up." \
see microfilm for box score