Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 28, 1994 TAG: 9412280096
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It's safe to say, Cave Spring has Salem's number in basketball.
In the past 11 months, the Knights have been the only team in Virginia to beat the Spartans. Cave Spring did it again Tuesday night, easing past Salem 61-51 in a NationsBank Holiday Hoops tournament semifinal.
Cave Spring has beaten Salem twice this season and was the only team to down the Spartans last year. The Spartans learned from that game and went on to win the Group AA title.
There was one difference between this game and the other contests. The Knights had been able to win the other games by two points. This matchup wasn't nearly that closely contested.
By winning, Cave Spring (6-3) gets a second shot at Northside, meeting the Vikings at 7:45 p.m. today in the championship game at the Salem Civic Center. This will be the second year Northside has made the final, and the Vikings will be out for revenge.
Matt Matheny led Cave Spring's victory with 17 points and it was a fast start that cleared the way for the Knights. After Matheny missed his first two shots, Cave Spring made eight in a row and built a 21-11 lead early in the second period.
If Matheny started slowly, he was the catalyst in the streak as he bounced back to score nine points in the opening quarter before going to the bench in the second period with three personal fouls.
For the game, Cave Spring connected on 22 of 45 shots, which for the Knights isn't that unsual. Shooting is their strength.
Several times, Cave Spring appeared ready to blow out the Spartans. At the finish, though, Salem had cut its deficit to eight points on a couple of 3-point goals by sophomore Andy Beach. While Cave Spring wasn't hanging on, the end result wasn't nearly as pleasing to coach Chris Carr as was the beginning.
``We did this against [George Washington]-Danville. We got a big lead, got lackadaisical and quit doing things that got us the big lead,'' Carr said.
On the plus side, Cave Spring played effective man-to-man defense. Dusty Beekman kept Salem's Kevin Garst from dominating, though the Spartans forward still had a game-high 19 points.
``This was our best man-[to-man] defensive effort. Early in the season, we were indifferent on defense. We could have cared less whether we played it. I told the guys to be one of the best teams, we had had to play defense. Everyone knew this team could shoot. We now understand about playing defense,'' Carr said.
Salem senior Matt Woolwine, the team's only other double-figure scorer, was unable to start because of a strained back muscle. He hobbled in briefly during the second quarter, scored three points and then left the game for good.
``He tried to go, but he couldn't move,'' said Charlie Morgan, Salem's coach. ``We've got to get Kevin some help [offensively]. But I am glad the guys didn't quit. We made Cave Spring earn it.''
Matheny had offensive help as four starters scored in double figures ,with point guard Jeff Lang and forward James Irvin each getting 12 and Beekman adding 11.
Matheny also had four assists, one fewer than Lang and Salem point guard Bryan Monroe. Matheny also had eight rebounds.
by CNB