Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 18, 1994 TAG: 9411180119
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RIDGEWAY LENGTH: Medium
The 5-foot-8 forward came up with two steals at a critical time in the fourth quarter to stop a Martinsville rally and propel the Terriers past the Bulldogs 55-49 in a Group AA Region III girls' basketball semifinal.
First, Smith picked off a pass and drove for a layup with 2 minutes, 21 seconds left after Martinsville had scored six consecutive points to trim Byrd's lead to three. Then, she quickly got another steal, drew a foul and hit one free throw to lift the Terriers (18-7) out of danger with a 51-45 lead.
Byrd's victory makes it a Blue Ridge District affair in the championship game Saturday at Northside High School. The Terriers will face their nemesis this year, Salem, which has beaten them three times.
Both teams are in next week's state tournament. The winner of the Region III title will play a first-round home game against either Grundy or Marion, and the loser will travel to one of those schools.
Smith was aware of her steals, but tried to downplay their importance. It was part of a 23-point, 15-rebound evening.
``I played like I regularly do. I anticipated,'' said Smith, who finished with four steals.
``I wanted to pick it up, but anyone could have stepped in and done it. If it wasn't me, it would still be fine.''
Byrd also got a big game from another junior, Kelli Runyon, who dealt out seven assists and hit six of seven free throws in the fourth quarter. Her final free throws added to the work turned in defensively by Smith, giving the Terriers a 53-45 margin.
For Runyon and Smith, this is deja vu. As freshman starters two years ago, they played on a team that went to the state final against Blacksburg.
For Martinsville (20-4), it was the second year the Bulldogs have lost in in a Region III semifinal. It also wound up a tremendous career for point guard and Timesland assists leader Sam Ferguson, who is headed to North Carolina-Greensboro on a scholarship.
The Bulldogs never could get into a game that would tie up Byrd. Even when Martinsville took a 35-27 lead midway through the third quarter, the Bulldogs just couldn't handle the Terriers.
Byrd's comeback from that deficit was fueled by two free throws from Kim Kendrick and a jumper by reserve Valerie Glynn. Smith and Runyon added field goals at the close of the quarter. Junior Kristi Dyer, who also played on Byrd's state runner-up team two years ago, hit two free throws that put the Terriers ahead for good at 38-37.
Byrd's defense was tough the rest of the way. Only 14 Terriers turnovers in the final quarter enabled Martinsville to keep it close.
``We wanted to step out and keep Ferguson from penetrating,'' said Richard Thrasher, Byrd's coach. ``If they did penetrate, we wanted to put our hands up.''
Ferguson didn't have a particularly good night. She hit a pair of 3-point goals in the opening quarter, but never scored from the field again.
Martinsville's Tresita Holland scored a game-high 24 points. The junior had all of her team's eight points in the second quarter and frequently got inside. It was Holland who paced the comeback until Smith's steals.
``We knew every time Tresita got the ball, she'd penetrate. She's good at that, so we had to slow her down,'' Smith said.
``We didn't take care of the ball,'' said Carla Giles, Martinsville's coach. ``Byrd stayed in a zone inside and came out to pressure the ball. We didn't rebound at all and we got inside a couple of times, but couldn't hit. Still, Byrd is a very good team.''
The Terriers connected on 20 of 42 shots from the field and were willing to run with the Bulldogs. Martinsville, on the other hand, wanted to go to a delay game that worked effectively against Fieldale-Collinsville in the Piedmont District title game last week. The Bulldogs held the ball twice at the end of quarters.
``We did go to a press once,'' Thrasher said. ``I don't know how well it worked, except that it speeded up the game. Then, we had a lot of turnovers. We just didn't get together on our pressure offense.''
Byrd also had a big night at the free-throw line, connecting on 15 of 21 shots. Inside, Byrd dominated the boards 44-35 with freshman Brandi Allen getting 11 rebounds to help Smith.
by CNB