Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 25, 1994 TAG: 9402250223
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-12 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Late in Carroll County's New River District tournament semifinal game against Christiansburg (12-10), Wolford got an ear-chewing from coach Pat Sharp for allowing his 6-foot-4 frame wander too far away from the basket on offense and for letting smaller players run by it on the other end.
When the rejuvenated big guy retook the floor, he scored eight points within spitting distance of the hoop in the final 1 minute, 53 seconds and propelled the Cavaliers to a 69-67 victory.
Wolford, the game's high scorer with 23 points, had warranted the tongue-lashing after heaving a 17-foot jump shot that flew awry with his team trailing 56-54 with about four minutes left.
Earlier, Christiansburg's Rodney Perdue outbattled him for a rebound and a score. At the next whistle, he took a courtside seat. Sharp's mood was intense.
"Yes, it was," said Wolford. "[Coach Sharp] just wanted to talk to me about taking better shot selection. He fired me up. He said I had to do it now, . . . there wasn't any tomorrow."
Actually, there is a tomorrow for the Cavaliers (9-12) - who play Blacksburg tonight in the finals - and a next week, too. The Cavaliers host the Highlands District's No. 2 team next week in the Region IV playoffs.
While Wolford was the big man down the stretch, the biggest play of the game may have been turned in by Shawn Montgomery, a seldom-used Carroll County reserve who played 65 seconds.
When Wolford went out with 3:08 to play, Montgomery replaced him. He found himself with the ball inside, missed a short shot and grabbed his own rebound and stuck it in to pull the Cavaliers within a bucket, 58-56, with 2:50 left. CARROLL COUNTY (69)
Wolford 10 3-6 23, Hawks 5 0-0 10, Bryant 3 1-3 8, Kilbourne 1 5-9 7, Larrowe 3 0-0 6, Stockner 2 0-0 4, Thomas 2 0-1 4, Hutchens 1 0-0 3, McCreary 0 2-3 2, Montgomery 1 0-0 2. Totals 28 11-22 69. CHRISTIANSBURG (67)
Hairston 5 7-7 21, Perdue 9 0-0 19, Self 5 5-6 15, Phillips 3 1-1 8, Calloway 2 0-0 4. Totals: 24 13-14 67. Carroll County 14201421-69 Christiansburg 14172115-67
Three-point goals: Carroll County 2 (Bryant, Hutchens), Christiansburg 6 (Hairston 4, Perdue, Phillips). Fouled out: Phillips. JV: Blacksburg 58, Radford 53, 2 OT (NRD semifinals).
by CNB