Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 10, 1994 TAG: 9411100109
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Carroll County hit seven of its first eight field-goal attempts after intermission, then held off a late rally by Christiansburg for a 50-46 victory in the semifinal game of the New River District tournament.
The Cavaliers (15-8) will visit top-seeded Blacksburg at 7:30 p.m. today in the tournament final. Regardless of the outcome of that game, Carroll County will play at Southwest District champion Richlands on Tuesday in the opening round of the regional tournament.
The loss ended the season for Christiansburg (12-11).
After trailing by as many as eight points in the second quarter, the Cavaliers closed to 24-21 at halftime. Then, they found their shooting eye. In the first minute, Carroll County and Christiansburg exchanged baskets.
The Blue Demons began to miss, but the Cavaliers kept hitting. The result was a 14-6 run by Carroll County. Denean Jessup (six points) and Talisha Clontz (four) provided inside scoring, and Jennifer Watkins opened the period with a pair of 18-footers.
``We practiced post moves all week,'' Jessup said. ``The coaches told me [at halftime] to take more control out there. And that's what I did.''
During the run, the Cavaliers led by as many as seven points.
``They forced some turnovers and took the lead,'' said Danny Knott, Christiansburg's coach. ``Once we got it across half court, they would press us and we would try to make a big individual play instead of being patient and consistent.''
Carroll County held its lead in the fourth quarter on the strength of its defense and six points by Sarah Puckett.
``I just relaxed,'' Puckett said. ``I said to myself it didn't matter if I missed shots earlier. I was going to shoot with confidence.''
In the final two minutes, the Cavaliers made only three of nine free throws, but those three points and a layup by Jessup were enough as the Demons missed two free throws and a 3-pointer in the final 20 seconds.
Maureen Jackson (19 points) and Crystal Moles (16) combined for more than three-quarters of Christiansburg's scoring.
see microfilm for box score
Keywords:
BASKETBALL
by CNB