Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 20, 1994 TAG: 9411220059
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BRISTOL LENGTH: Medium
While Floyd County dismantled Castlewood 82-44 Saturday night at John S. Battle for its third straight Group A Region C crown, the Buffaloes had to perform some tasks they're not entirely used to.
Like running a halfcourt offense, taking a jump shot and hitting the backboards. Usually, the Buffaloes (26-0) force such a blizzard of turnovers with their withering press that most of their shots are transition layups.
Castlewood (22-8) was a more sure-handed foe and held the turnovers to 19, which is pretty good against Floyd County.
``Tonight we used our `red' press a lot when we wait for them to get to halfcourt, then we trap them,'' Floyd County's Laura Harman said. ``But No.20 [Shannon Casteel] is a good player and we weren't moving our feet quick enough. She kept getting out of the traps and that gave us trouble.''
No more trouble than the Blue Devils had making shots (they were 8-for-35 against the Buffaloes' first stringers) or rebounding. Floyd County pounded the Devils on the boards 40-13 before the reserves were sent in.
``Our girls were scared to death in the first half,'' Castlewood coach John Sabo said. ``At halftime we told them to relax and shoot the ball. You can't score if you don't shoot.''
Both teams advance to the state tournament that starts Tuesday. Floyd County will try to extend a 53-game winning streak when it entertains Region D runner-up Hurley. Castlewood goes to Rye Cove, which beat Hurley 61-50 Saturday.
Castlewood took only 21 shots (making four of them) and scored nine first-half points. Despite not getting as many easy baskets as it is accustomed to, Floyd County shot 50 percent (15-for-30), outrebounded the Devils 28-9, and led 41-9 at the break.
The Buffs ran the lead to 49 points (63-14) when Carrie Chaffin made her third consecutive basket with 2 minutes, 34 seconds left in the third, before there was a pause in the action as Floyd County coach Alan Cantrell was whistled for technical fouls twice and was ejected with 1:52 left in the third.
``All I have to say is that I apologize to the fans, all the schools involved, and my players,'' Cantrell said.
Casteel went on to drill all four free throws, then canned a jumper on the subsequent possession. She finished with 16 points, eight of that from the free-throw line. Castlewood went 20-for-28 from the line.
Reserves played most of the rest of the way for Floyd County and did well, especially Julie Sowers, who scored 12 points.
The Buffs got scoring from 11 players, led by Leigh-Ann Pursifull's 13. Melissa Cantrell scored 12, including two 3-pointers, and Chaffin chipped in 11 to go with six rebounds and two blocked shots.
Harman had 11 rebounds and six points.
Had it been a closer game, fatigue might have become a factor for Floyd County's starting rotation.
``We're used to not having to go as far down the floor as we did tonight,'' Melissa Cantrell said. ``We had to keep the press going all the way up the court.''
Sabo was checking some things out in case there might be a rematch.
``Offensively, they have a fine club,'' he said. ``Defensively, I thought we could play with them. Their press has some holes in it. We want to see them again.''
see microfilm for box score
Keywords:
BASKETBALL
by CNB