Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 27, 1994 TAG: 9402270154
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: D-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: DALEVILLE LENGTH: Medium
It was a good thing for the Parry McCluer and Glenvar basketball teams that both had clinched berths in the Region C tournament before Saturday night's Pioneer District championship game.
If they had to rely on Saturday night's efforts alone, neither team would have qualified.
Parry McCluer (20-2) defeated the Highlanders (14-7) for the third time this season, 68-48 at Lord Botetourt High School, but neither team looked as sharp as it had recently. Both squads have played extremely heavy schedules of late, and Saturday night it was evident.
"I thought we were in good shape, considering this was our seventh game in two weeks," said Nelson Fox, Parry's McCluer coach.
The Fighting Blues already had qualified for the regional tournament as the district's regular-season champion. Glenvar came into the game knowing it had second, at least.
Parry McCluer was paced by forwards Mike McElroy and Nathan Baker, who scored 21 and 19 points, respectively. McElroy missed just one of eight shots from the field, and Baker was 9-of-16, but the balance of the team shot 24 percent (7-of-29).
Glenvar missed 13 of its first 16 shots, fell behind 14-6 and threatened only briefly in the second quarter. The Highlanders made only 20 of 60 field-goal attempts (33 percent) in the game.
Jason Anderson and Brad Melton, who combined to score 35 points Friday night in Glenvar's semifinal victory over Covington, were held to 11 and eight, respectively. Point guard Nick Varney scored 10, but missed six 3-point attempts.
"We were a little sluggish," said Art Lawrence, Glenvar's coach. "We struggled the whole game. We're capable of playing much better. Fatigue may have been a factor, but Parry McCluer probably had something to do with our performance. We didn't take the ball to the basket."
The Blues offered a variety of zone defenses that stifled Glenvar's penetration, and the Highlanders simply were not hitting from the outside.
Glenvar attempted only nine free throws against the Blues, making four. The Highlanders converted 23 free throws Friday night.
Glenvar also appeared a step slow as it chased loose balls. On several occasions during Saturday night's contest, Baker emerged from a pile of players with the ball in hand.
"Nathan always gives 100 percent," Fox said. "And he thinks every offensive rebound is a pass to him."
McElroy, the Blues' sixth man, also often seemed to be in the right place at the right time. Most of his baskets came from short range.
"Mike gets the most out of his ability," Fox said.
McElroy, Baker, Anderson and Melton were named to the all-tournament team, along with Bath County's Patrick Lennon. Glenvar's next game will be Wednesday against Chilhowie at Emory & Henry College. Parry McCluer receives a first-round bye and will not play until Friday.
by CNB