Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 23, 1994 TAG: 9402240127
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Mountaineers scored the first 11 points and also got the first four points in the second quarter in the opening round of the Blue Ridge District basketball tournament against Lord Botetourt on Tuesday at the Salem Civic Center.
Yet the Cavaliers got their only tie with 1 minute, 26 seconds left in the half on Shannon Williams' layup to make it 33-33. Less than a minute later, Dusty Rowland hit two free throws for the Mounties to give them the lead for good on their way to an 81-70 victory. That puts Alleghany (12-8) in Friday's semifinal against Salem, the state's No. 1-ranked Group AA team.
The bright spot in all of this was Botetourt center Jeff Cronise. He hit 9 of 11 shots for a career-high 20 points and had eight rebounds.
This may have been the final game for veteran coach Don Meredith, who retired as a teacher last year.
"We've struggled, but I can take losing. I'm not used to it and don't like it. I love coaching. Sometimes you have more fun working with kids who aren't as talented as a [former Botetourt standout] Bobby Prince," said Meredith, whose team finished 9-10. \
Bassett 90
Laurel Park 69
MARTISNVILLE - The Bengals were able to do something in the first round of the Piedmont District tournament that they couldn't in two previous meetings with the Bengals: win.
Bassett (9-12), the tournament's sixth seed, nailed its first five 3-pointers and took a 16-point lead in the first quarter. After the first period, third-seeded Laurel Park (14-8) never got closer than nine points.
The Bengals hit 29-of-48 shots (60 percent), while the Lancers shot 26-of-77 (34 percent). Tyree Hairston led Bassett with 20 points and Chris Hairston scored 18. Darrell Wilson led Laurel Park with 20 points. \
Eastern Mennonite 75
Carlisle 57
WAYNESBORO - The Flames went on a 23-5 run with four minutes remaining to break a 52-52 tie and win in the opening round of the Virginia Independent Conference tournament. \
Mountain Empire District
\ Floyd County 77, Fort Chiswell 61: At Christiansburg, the Buffaloes sprinted to a 19-point halftime lead and cruised to a first-round victory in the Mountain Empire District tournament at Christiansburg High School.
Jason Light had 12 points and Jamie Warren and Phillip Marshall 10 each for Floyd (17-3). Jody Burnett had 25 and Dyer Jackson 12 for Fort Chiswell (9-13). \
Grayson County 60
Galax 52 (OT)
CHRISTIANSBURG - Grayson County pulled away in overtime to advance in the Mountain Empire District boys' basketball tournament at Christiansburg High School.
Shane Griffith, who finished with 12 points, made a 3-pointer and two free throws in the extra period for Grayson (19-3). Brian Boyer, who had 15 points, made three of four free throws in overtime.
Keith Weatherman added 14 points for Grayson. Matt Snow led Galax (5-17) with 19 points, and Tito Crockett had 13. \
see microfilm for box score
by CNB