Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 10, 1994 TAG: 9412300016
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DWIGHT FOXX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NEW CASTLE LENGTH: Long
Two of those occasions came this year against Highland and Carroll County. In both of those games, she scored 27 points to lead the Rockets' attack. In her team's final regular-season game, she tallied a career-high 38 points against Parry McCleur.
She salivates when she sees man-to-man defenses because it gives her a chance to do what she does best.
"I drove three times against Highland and each time I made my shot and drew a foul," the senior guard said. ``I like to drive because I know I can make my foul shots."
A free-throw percentage of 83 would justify that claim. It is also one of the reasons why she has been the No.2 scorer in Timesland at 19.6 points per game for a majority of the year.
Penetrating and free-throw shooting are just the beginning of Robertson's game. Three-point accuracy, passing and rebounding (8.7 per game), are also part of her package. She had 18 rebounds in a game against Giles and nailed four three-pointers in another contest.
It's because of her offensive arsenal that she is the Rockets' all-time leading scorer with 1,217 points going into this week's Pioneer District tournament.
The second quarter has been one of dramatic moments for Robertson this season.
It was in this segment that she scored her 1,000th career point against James River and attained one of her preseason goals.
"It means everything," she said of being the first in school history to reach the magical figure. "When I started here as a freshman, I never imagined that I would score 1,000 points. Being the first to do it is special."
Her worst moment also came in this quarter at Bath County. Officials ejected the senior standout after she became entangled with a Bath County player while trying to pass the ball.
"I got tripped in the middle of throwing the ball," she said.
Robertson says she had to put her arms out to keep from falling on her face. In the process, she fell down around the throat area of the player who was playing a box-and-one defense on her.
She was charged with a flagrant foul and was ejected from the game after scoring only nine points, the only time this year Robertson has failed to hit double figures.
According to Virginia High School League rules, which force an ejected player to miss the next game, Robertson was forced to sit out against Giles, the only one she has not played in during her career.
The two players involved hugged after the game.
"We became friends that night," Robertson explained, even though she couldn't remember the other player's name. "She came up to me and said she knew I would never do anything like that."
Depending on her team's needs, Robertson will play point guard, shooting guard or power forward.
Rocket head coach Eric Crabtree credits Robertson's ballhandling skills for his team's ability to break full-court presses, her shooting for breaking zones and her rebounding for limiting teams to one shot.
"She could play center if we needed her to," Crabtree said. "Wherever you put her, she'll produce."
Crabtree describes how Robertson will drive on man-to-man defenses, shoot the three "because she has the range" and get herself free when she sees a box-and-one defense.
The box-and-one is the defense that she has seen most often this year as teams tried to stop her. But if her team has a lead and then loses it, the defense doesn't matter. Just watch out.
"It's time for me to do my thing," she said. "Sometimes I feel like I have to do it all."
At times, she has. Like when she scored 19 of the team's 33 points in a loss to Covington, 23 points against James River and the outbursts against Parry McCleur, Highland and Carroll County.
Robertson likes playing power forward on defense (she has a better chance to get rebounds) and shooting guard on offense.
"She's real unselfish," Crabtree states. "But the girls know when to get her the ball. She always gives 100 percent. Against Covington, she was bleeding and bruised and still diving for loose balls. When the ball's on the floor, she's on the floor. Her heart and desire to win is what impresses me most about her."
The victories haven't come in bunches for the Rockets this season, who are below .500. The coach says Robertson hasn't gotten down despite the lack of wins and is the leader of a team that makes up for a lack of talent by playing with a lot of heart.
"If everybody on our team had her heart and desire, we would have an unbelievable team," he said. ``She'll work on whatever it is that needs to be done."
The four-year basketball star and third-year volleyball standout wants to play basketball in college and has received letters from Roanoke, Chowan and Bridgewater.
Shooting free throws in the driveway at night and playing one-on-one against her brother Jimmy, a former player at Craig County, on weekends are two reasons she plays well enough to draw their interest.
Having the total offensive package and desire helps, too.
by CNB