Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 8, 1994 TAG: 9401080232
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Medium
After finding themselves in a 16-2 pit in the first quarter, the Knights went from being buried to burying 3-pointers, knocking off Pulaski County 53-50 in Roanoke Valley District boys' basketball.
It was a big victory for Cave Spring (5-5 overall, 1-1 district), which won just six games a season ago, including a forfeit from Patrick Henry that stood as the Knights' only district victory.
"Coming to Pulaski and winning is big for us," said Rick Crotts, the Knights' coach. "We haven't won a road game in a long time."
Cave Spring avoided becoming road kill, thanks to James Irvin's 3-pointer with 1 minute, 2 seconds left. The long jumper gave the Knights the lead for good at 52-50. Dusty Beekman hit one of two free throws with 20 seconds left to account for the final margin.
Pulaski County (2-4, 0-1) had the last shot, but Matt Burns' 3-pointer was off the mark at the buzzer.
"I definitely think this win shows people we can win this district," said Irvin, who led the Knights with 17 points. "This year won't be like last year."
The first period looked a lot like last year for the Knights, as Pulaski County scored 14 consecutive points to take its 16-2 lead while the Knights missed nine of their first 10 field-goal attempts.
That changed in the second quarter, as Cave Spring hit three 3-pointers and outscored the Cougars 21-11 to get back into the game.
The Knights made seven of 17 3-point attempts, four in the fourth quarter. One of the biggest was from big man Grant Kittelson, who drained a wide-open shot to give Cave Spring its first lead of the game at 47-44 with 4:37 left.
"That was a big shot," said Pat Burns, Pulaski County coach. "With all the shooters they have out there, you have to back off somebody. We backed off the kid and he hit it."
No one expected Kittelson to be an outside marksman.
"Probably now they do," he said. "I was shooting 40 percent from the 3-point line. I can make 'em."
Pulaski County, which spread its offense in the second half and got numerous back-door baskets, took a 50-49 lead with 1:24 left on the second Jamar McNair-to-Tyrone Hash alley-oop dunk in a 90-second span. But Irvin hit his 3-pointer and the upset was sealed.
"After the second [dunk], we had the momentum," said Hash, who led all scorers with 18 points. "Then they hit that 3 and that kind of put it away. Those guys can really shoot."
Jammon Payne had 14 points for the Cougars, who are expected to challenge for the RVD title once they recover from some early-season injuries.
"I can't stand to get beat," Pat Burns said. "But when we get healthy, we can't do anything but improve." \
see microfilm for box score
by CNB