Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, December 27, 1994 TAG: 9412280018
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Both teams may contend in their district races, and it's possible that they'll play in this same building when the Region III tournament is held in about two months.
Except for Law's 22-point second half, no one really had anything going.
Northside dropped the Cavaliers 59-54 despite Law scoring 22 of his 24 points in the second half.
Justin Porterfield led a balanced Vikings attack with 13 points.
``We played well in spurts, they played well in spurts,'' said Billy Pope, Northside's coach. ``Both teams didn't play well in spurts. We just had one or two more spurts than they did.''
Despite the teams' inconsistency, they are expected to contend for district titles and could end up meeting again in the Region III tournament held at the Salem Civic Center. But Ben Gravely, Fieldale-Collinsville's coach, said his team needs to step it up a notch.
``In the first half, we shot the ball poorly. Even Nat, and he's our big scorer,'' Gravely said.
``The thing is to get the other guys to step up. That's one of our biggest things. I saw that we were nervous walking out on to the floor. A lot of our kids haven't played in an environment like this.
``I told them it's just a floor like the one at our gym, at Laurel Park or Magna Vista.,'' Gravely added about other Piedmont District sites compared to the Civic Center. It's the first time we've played Northside, and they usually advance to the region. We have to get used to playing teams like that.''
The Vikings (4-1) pulled away in the third quarter when Ben Peete hit a pair of 3-point goals and another jumper. It was one of those spurts that Pope liked as the Vikings hit eight of 14 shots to go on top 43-30 after three quarters.
In the final period, Law's shooting gave Fieldale-Collinsville (5-2) a chance. The score was 53-46 with 2 minutes, 7 seconds left when Northside's Justin , who led his team with 13 points and five assists, missed a jumper.
Law missed a jumper at the other end, then Porterfield hit a pair of free throws. The Vikings pulled away before a pair of 3-point goals by Mike Witt at the end made it close.
Northside (59)
Brammer 3 0-0 6, Garrison 1 0-1 2, Gibson 2 1-3 5, Porterfield 3 7-8 13, Peete 4 2-2 12, Thompson 4 0-4 8, Wimmer 2 0-0 4, Barrett 3 1-2 9. Totals 22 11-20 59.
Fieldale-Collinsville (54)
Hairston 2 0-0 4, Joyce 1 2-2 4, Harbour 0 2-2 2, Draper 1 0-0 2, N. Law 9 2-2 24, A. Law 1 0-0 2, Witt 5 0-0 12, Craighead 1 2-2 4, Alley 0 0-1 0. Totals 20 8-9 54.
Northside 10--13--20--16--59
Fieldale-Collinsville 6--10--14--24--54
Three-point goals: Peete 2, Barrett 2, N. Law 4, Witt 2. Team fouls: Northside 14, Fieldale-Collinsville 19. Fouled out: Draper.
by CNB