Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, December 27, 1994 TAG: 9412280025
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: DWIGHT FOXX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Fans of the Blue Ridge District can get a preview of the upcoming race on Tuesday night.
William Byrd (4-0) set up a semifinal showdown with Northside tonight by blasting Parry McCluer 68-53 in the opening round of the NationsBank Holiday Hoops Tournament on Monday night.
Parry McCluer (6-2) will meet Fieldale-Collinsville in a loser's bracket contest today at 2 p.m.
William Byrd's defense dominated the contest with the 1994 Group A runner-up. By overplaying the passing lanes, Byrd forced five first-quarter turnovers and shot 58.3 percent (7-of-12) in taking a 21-6 advantage after one period.
"We couldn't take these guys lightly," said Michael McGuire, Byrd's shooting guard. "The main part of our defense is overplaying the passing lanes."
Twice in the second period the Fighting Blues had an opportunity to cut their deficit to six but the Terriers stole interior passes and turned them into fastbreak points.
Byrd led 37-23 at halftime and was never threatened after the break.
"It was a good game for us considering it was a day after Christmas," said Paul Bernard, William Byrd's coach.
Kevin Tuck and Chris Childress paced four Byrd players in double figures with 18 points apiece while Parry McCluer's Mike McElroy was the high scorer with 23 points.
Parry McCluer coach Nelson Fox said Byrd's defense and his team's inability to hit easy shots in the first quarter doomed his squad.
"Their defensive pressure took us out early," Fox said. ``They play as good of defense as anybody we'll play in the Pioneer district."
Parry McCluer center Brian Sizemore missed his third consecutive game due to the flu. Fox says Sizemore, whose left knee is also bothering him, is doubtful for the team's big showdown with Glenvar on January Jan. 3.
"I don't want to make any excuses," Fox said. "The credit has to go to William Byrd and Bath County."
see microfilm for box score
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.