Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, December 26, 1994 TAG: 9412280055
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DWIGHT FOXX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Parry McCluer may be the only Group A team in Parry McCluer will be among eight of the best boys' teams in the Timesland area who will meet at the Salem Civic Center for some holiday hoops.
The the NationsBank Holiday Hoops tournament. But the the Fighting Blues won't be out of their league when the boys' basketball action gets under way today with four games at the Salem Civic Center.
Rockbridge County meets Cave Spring at 2 p.m. in the tournament's first game, Fieldale-Collinsville tangles with Northside at 3:45 p.m., Parry McCluer takes on William Byrd at 6 p.m. and host and defending champion Salem faces against Franklin County at 7:45 p.m. Semifinal games will be played at 6 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, and Wednesday's championship game will tip off at 7:45 p.m. Tickets are $5 per day for adults or $12 for a tournament pass for all games. Fans high school age and younger will be charged $4 per day or $10 for a tournament pass.
A slam-dunk contest will take place after Tuesday's 3:45 consolation-round game, and a 3-point shooting contest will be held after Wednesday's 3:45 consolation-round matchup.
The tournament field includes two Group AAA teams - Cave Spring and Franklin County - and five Group AA teams - Northside, Fieldale-Collinsville, Rockbridge, Salem and William Byrd.
But Parry McCluer isn't intimidated.
``Off a season like we had last year, we wanted to play in a Christmas tournament against real good competition, and we're going to get that in the [NationsBank] tournament,'' said Nelson Fox, the Fighting Blues' coach.
Parry McCluer comes in as the second-most accomplished team from last season, next to 1994 Group AA champion Salem. The Fighting Blues lost to William Monroe in the Group A title game.
Despite losing four senior starters from that squad, Parry McCluer is in position to make another run at the Pioneer District title and the Group A crown. The Fighting Blues' district hopes suffered a severe blow, however, when Bath County beat them 53-51 in overtime Dec.20 in Buena Vista in the Pioneer opener for both squads. That is the only blemish on a 6-1 start.
``That hurt us a lot, particularly at our place,'' Fox said. ``It was just one of those things. You hate to lose a district game.''
Brian Sizemore and Mike McElroy lead the Fighting Blues' attack. Sizemore, who missed the Bath County game while battling the flu, is the lone returning starter from last season's 24-3 club. McElroy was the sixth man for the Group A runners-up.
Fox, who has won 215 games in 16 seasons as the head coach at Parry McCluer, said he was pleased with his team's start, but the Fighting Blues will have to play at a higher level starting today.
``We open up with William Byrd,'' Fox said. ``We've seen them play twice and they really play outstanding defense. We're going to have to play at the top of our ability.''
This tournament is a good way for Parry its to prepare for their Jan.3 showdown with rival Glenvar, the co-favorite in the Pioneer District race.
``We're looking to improve in each game,'' Fox said. ``I'm not too concerned with the record overall. That's why this tournament is going to help us.''
by CNB