Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 17, 1993 TAG: 9311170121
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MAX MEADOWS LENGTH: Medium
Not only that, but willowy junior Carrie Chaffin did it in the biggest game of the year to date, the Buffaloes' meeting with James River in the opening round of the Group A Region C tournament.
Chaffin was one of the reasons the Buffaloes whipped the Knights 75-51 to advance to Thursday's semifinals. Floyd County (24-1), which won its 21st straight game, faces a 7 p.m. match with Rural Retreat on Thursday at Fort Chiswell High with the winner earning a berth in the Group A state tournament.
In the second game Tuesday, Shawsville played Northwood of the Hogoheegee District.
Chaffin scored 24 points to lead Floyd County, in the process sinking a 3-point field goal and making three of four free throws.
"She played big tonight," Floyd County coach Alan Cantrell said.
Chaffin displayed an ability to play in a variety of locations on the floor that is a trademark of players for this team. Explaining her success, she spoke of the fundamentals.
"I boxed out and rebounded better and we played better as a team," she said. "That helped."
Chaffin's production may have chopped into that of some of Floyd County's starting players. Stalwarts such as point guard Monica Lucas and forward Leigh-Ann Pursifull did not score.
The production was hardly missed, though. Lynette Nolley, the 6-foot-1 senior forward, nailed a 3-pointer and finished with 17 points and sophomore guard Melissa Cantrell buried a trio of 3s and finished with 15 points.
Coach Cantrell made liberal use of his bench.
"Our intensity and people coming off the bench was the difference," he said.
James River (15-10), the Pioneer District tournament champion, hung close early, but the Buffaloes' pressure started to worry the Knights late in the first quarter. Floyd County ran off the last 11 points of the quarter to take a 23-7 lead and kept pouring it on from there.
The Buffaloes led by 31 points in the second half and if it had not been for the Knights continued hustle and the scoring of Angie Johnson (24 points) and Kara Mundy (10), it could have become a very unpleasant second half.
James River made 19 of 26 free throws.
"We stayed in the three-quarter court defense just to keep the momentum going," Cantrell said. "We don't play as well when we slow down."
Not surprisingly, given the score, Floyd County played less elegantly in the second half.
"We got a little sloppy with some of our passing," Cantrell said. "But hopefully, that will get better."
by CNB