WANT TO TALK ABOUT SCORING? HERE'S THE PICK OF THE SHOOTERS

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 25, 1993                   TAG: 9302250225
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: RAY COX
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
WANT TO TALK ABOUT SCORING? HERE'S THE PICK OF THE SHOOTERS
Here's the scoop on who can play high-school hoops in the New River Valley:
Tournaments are in progress this week and some of these guys already may have been eliminated. Some may proceed straight to graduation. In that case, the loss is their school's - and yours, if you haven't had a chance to check them out.
So, in no particular order, here are 10 who can shoot 'em in:
\ Chris Foster of Pulaski County is probably the best big man in the area. When he comes to play (once in a while he doesn't), the Cougars are a very good team. Foster averaged 15.4 points per game while shooting 65.5 percent in 19 games, which is one of the reasons Pulaski County was able to force a regular-season tie with league powerhouse William Fleming. The Colonels won 61-51 in a playoff.
Blacksburg point guard Craig Turman is another in a long line of floor generals churned out by Indians coach Bob Trear. Turman can score (12.9 ppg.), can shoot free throws (70.3 percent) and be smart. Plus, he's a little bit ornery, which is a good trait for a team leader.
\ Jason Light of Floyd County is another post player who knows his way around the hoop. A junior, he has turned out to be a fine offensive player (21.1 ppg., second highest in the Mountain Empire District) and a tenacious board banger (8.5 rpg.). He also doesn't miss too often (66.6 percent).
\ Terry Millirons of Auburn is a sophomore who probably can handle four positions. He ought to be pretty good before he gets through. Come to think of it, he isn't bad now. His 17.8 points per game is third in the MED and his 8.8 rebounds leads the league. Good shooter (62.4 percent).
\ Eric Webb of Pulaski County is another tenacious 10th-grader. Good way to start a debate down there is ask somebody whether he's better in basketball or football. Who cares at this point? Webb averaged more than 16 points per game and has drilled 17 3-pointers.
\ Jay Safford of Blacksburg is the second-leading scorer in the New River District at 18 points per game. Not bad for a guy who reportedly hasn't been at organized basketball too long.
\ Mike Hylton of Floyd County shoots 47.8 percent from 3-point range. There's got to be a place for a guy like that on this team.
\ Ty Hash of Pulaski County will team with classmate Webb to make the Cougars a force for the next couple of years.
Put\ Tony Wheeler of Blacksburg, for talent and courage. Not only is he a good player, but he came back from a badly injured shoulder much quicker than anybody thought he would.
\ Chris Hairston of Radford makes it on ability, not citizenship, a responsibility he occasionally fails to grasp.

What a win for Narrows in the Mountain Empire District basketball tournament Tuesday.
When the Green Wave beat Grayson County 61-50, it was that rarest of events: The last seed - in the case No. 8 - beat the top seed in the opening round of a high school tournament. After covering postseason basketball for this paper every year since 1981, I can't remember another last-beats-first.
Believe me, you won't be likely to see it again any time soon.

Best quote of the season comes from a source at Chilhowie, where rebounder Tim Polk - Timesland's leader at 14.8 rpg. - reigns:
"He's listed at 275 pounds, but he's closer to 400."

Ray Cox covers New River Valley sports for the Roanoke Times & World-News
Keywords:
BASKETBALL

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB