Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 18, 1993 TAG: 9311180153
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: By BRIAN DeVIDO STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MONETA LENGTH: Medium
Both Bassett (24-0) and Martinsville (19-5) advanced to tonight's semifinals by pressing their opponents into making mistakes, and could meet again in the regional final if both win. Bassett has won all three meetings between the two schools.
The Bengals, Timesland's top-ranked team, whipped Seminole District tournament runner-up Brookville 73-58 in the first game, and Martinsville edged Blue Ridge District runner-up William Byrd 73-67 in the nightcap.
Bassett jumped out to a 14-0 lead over the Bees (13-11), most of those points being easy layups from Bengals steals. Bassett guard Aimee Barker scored 14 points in the first half, and 17 overall, to lead Bassett, which plays Blue Ridge District champ Lord Botetourt (23-1) tonight. Martinsville, the Piedmont District runner-up, meets Seminole District champ Staunton River (20-2).
"I was real pleased with the way they came out," said Bassett head coach Lisa Black. "I thought they may have let down after Martinsville [who the Bengals beat in the Piedmont District tournament final]. If they were nervous, they didn't show it a whole lot."
Bassett was an astounding 21-of-29 from the field in the first half, and now must face Botetourt, a team many consider one of the best in Timesland.
"It's too bad we have to play them now," Black said. "It's poor timing as far as the draw is concerned."
Martinsville's pressure defense finally broke through in the third quarter against Byrd. The Bulldogs had lost both times these two teams met in the regular season, but this time the Terriers played Martinsville's run-and-gun game.
Trailing 34-30 after a physical first half in which they hit 16-of-24 shots, the Terriers slowed the pace down in the opening minutes of the second half, and worked the ball inside to center Jackie Banks.
Banks, who finished with 19 points, responded with three straight baskets to give Byrd a 36-34 lead, but the Terriers failed to continue pressing their inside advantage.
The Bulldogs went on a 22-6 run to take a 56-42 lead with 14 seconds remaining in the third. Byrd turned the ball over six times in that span.
Martinsville, led by Erica Brandon's 22 points and guard Samantha Ferguson's 18, swarmed the Terriers all night, stealing the ball and harassing their opponents into bad decisions. Byrd finished with 31 turnovers.
"I was very pleased with the intensity," said Martinsville head coach Carla Giles. `I think overall, it was one of our better defensive games. We knew we had to play good defense to win."
by CNB