Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 28, 1994 TAG: 9410280099
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The Blue Demons accomplished that feat with a 48-47 overtime victory over district-leading Carroll County.
The victory kept Christiansburg (10-9 overall, 1-2 in the district) alive mathematically. It also prevented Carroll County (13-6, 2-1) from clinching at least a tie for its first New River crown.
With two games district games left, 1993 Group AA champion Blacksburg (8-10, 1-1) and Carroll County still can win the league outright or tie for the title. The Demons can only hope to be part of a three-way tie in the three-team district.
Crystal Moles and Maureen Jackson were responsible for Thursday's turn of events. The Christiansburg inside duo combined for 33 points and 25 rebounds and made the big plays.
Moles put the Demons in the lead for good, 47-45, by hitting a turnaround jumper from the right side of the lane with 1 minute, 16 seconds left in overtime.
``I was looking for it,'' said Moles, who had a game-high 18 points and 13 rebounds. ``Usually, nobody covered me on that side of the basket. Then, somebody found me with the ball and I got the shot.''
When Carroll County's Marie Martin tried to drive the right baseline to tie the score, Jackson saw to it she didn't. In one motion, Jackson swatted the ball from the side and came up with it.
``I tried to get in position to where I wouldn't get a foul called,'' said Jackson, who had four fouls at the time. ``I just went after the ball and it worked.''
A Carroll County foul put Kelly Dalton at the free-throw line with 22 seconds left. She hit the front end of the one-and-one, making the lead 48-45.
Carroll County then went for the quick basket and Sarah Puckett drove the left side of the lane, scoring the last of her team-high 14 points.
``Our kids don't feel that comfortable shooting the 3[-pointer], and we're not going to put them in a position where they can't succeed,'' said Howard Mayo, the Cavaliers' coach. ``And there were 14 seconds left. If we foul them quickly, like we're supposed to, there's still plenty of time to get off a shot - even if they make the free throws.''
But Christiansburg managed to play keep-away for 10 seconds before Stephanie Reynolds was fouled. Reynolds missed her free throw with four seconds left. But Moles got the rebound. She, too, was fouled and missed her free throw. But Carroll County could only launch a desperation heave.
Christiansburg rallied from a three-point deficit to force overtime. Jackson muscled her way in for a follow-up with 44 seconds left in regulation, and Kim Dalton hit the front end of a one-and-one to tie the score at 43 with 16 seconds left.
The Cavaliers called time out with 10 seconds left, but could only manage a long shot at the buzzer.
Carroll County played its third game without leading scorer Bethany Hill, who is sidelined with an unspecified illness. Mayo said Hill is not expected back before mid-November.
\ see microfilm for box score
by CNB