Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 18, 1994 TAG: 9411180112
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BRISTOL LENGTH: Medium
was leading by 27 points at the time.
Alan Cantrell need not have suffered so - ``That man is going to have a stroke right here,'' said one awestruck witness. Cantrell's Floyd County Buffaloes worked out a couple of early-game kinks and blew out Galax 84-49 on Thursday night in the opening round of the Group A Region C girls' basketball tournament at John Battle High School.
The only number of major consequence was 35. That's how many turnovers Floyd County (25-0) forced from the young Maroon Tide.
``We didn't handle the pressure at all,'' said coach Ken Ross, who played three freshmen at times for Galax. ``But then, I'd like to see the team that can stand up to that kind of pressure all game long.''
Despite its youth, Galax (20-6) played its best ball at the end of the season. The Tide was no match for Floyd County, though, losing thrice to the Buffaloes - the last two times by 35 points each.
Galax got a fine game from junior Tammy Cox and freshman Eric Kyle, who combined for 25 points inside, but the Buffaloes held Tide leader Jaclyn Dickens to nine points.
``You leave her open outside and she'll kill you,'' Cantrell said.
It didn't really seem to matter a great deal which five Buffaloes were on the floor as they extended their winning streak to 52 games. The press continued until the last few minutes and the turnovers kept flowing.
Laura Harman had her most productive offensive night since early in the season, with 16 points.
``I get to be up front on our `black' press and you can get a lot of steals up front,'' she said.
Carrie Chaffin had 17 points, six rebounds and five assists for Floyd County, which will face Castlewood in the regional final Saturday night at John Battle.
``The others set good screens, the point guards especially,'' she said. ``I came off the screens and the shots were there.''
It was all part of the teamwork that was apparent in every phase of the Buffaloes' game. A good bit of the credit for that went to point guard Melissa Cantrell, who got a stern talking to from her father, the coach, in the first quarter. She came back with eight points, nine assists and six steals.
``I told Melissa afterward that she played what I thought was one of the best games I've ever seen her play,'' Alan Cantrell said.
by CNB