Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 21, 1995 TAG: 9501230074
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DWIGHT FOXX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Karim Thompson treated Shannon Williams like a prisoner Friday night.
Thompson, arguably the Blue Ridge District's top defender, locked up on Williams, the district's No.1 scorer, and held him to 15 points as Northside pulled away from Lord Botetourt in the final four minutes for a 69-48 district win Friday night at Northside High School.
Even though Thompson had done a good job of containing Williams, the Cavaliers were in position to steal the game with 4 minutes, 4 seconds left to play.
Lord Botetourt (7-4 overall, 0-2 district) had a chance to cut Northside's lead from 52-46 when Lee King stepped to the free-throw line for a one-and-one. King missed the first shot, and Northside pulled away.
The Vikings scored the next 14 points, including six by point guard Ben Peete, to forge a 66-46 lead with 1:06 left. The Vikings were 11-of-12 from the free-throw line during the stretch while the Cavaliers were 0-for-10 from the field.
``We got our offense clicking in the fourth quarter,'' said Billy Pope, Northside's coach. ``We shot free throws very well. Very well. Maurice Garrison got us going in the fourth quarter with his free-throw shooting.''
While Garrison was leading a parade of 11 consecutive free throws made by the Vikings, Thompson was using his strength and footwork to frustrate Williams. Williams, averaging 23.8 points per game, was held to 7-of-18 shooting and only one point in the final period.
``He's so persistent on defense,'' Pope said of Thompson. ``He has good footwork and good quickness. [Shutting down offensive players] starts with his mental approach to defense.''
Thompson, who left after the game to take his football visit to Virginia Tech, said he knew Williams had a great pump fake and jump shot, and he had to be aware of that at all times. Williams, who got four of his 15 points when Thompson wasn't in the game, had a tough time posting up and shooting over Thompson.
``Yeah, he started to get a little frustrated,'' Thompson said. ``He started pushing and talking junk.''
Northside (10-2, 3-0) received a big break before halftime that ultimately contributed to the outcome. The score was tied at 22 with 6.5 seconds left when Sam Barrett found Chad Brammer for a backdoor layup to give the Vikings a two-point lead.
``Anytime you score at the end of a quarter, it's a boost for you,'' Pope said.
Northside converted baskets at the end of the first three quarters.
The points before halftime became particularly important when Botetourt stayed in the dressing room too long and did not have a chance to warm up before the third quarter. Northside scored the first nine points of the second half in taking a 33-22 lead.
``That was the key play to end the half,'' Thompson said. ``Going into the lockerroom, it made us feel good about ourselves. The warmup before the second half gives you a chance to get your legs ready, your jump shot ready and in the mindset to play the second half.''
Botetourt coach Don Meredith said not warming up before the start of the second half was not a factor, but his team's poor defense at the end of the first half was. Meredith was irate that his team gave up easy baskets on the opening tip and at the end of the first three periods.
``A lack of self-discipline is killing our keys and our team,'' Meredith said. ``We can't take the last shot; we've got to be spectacular.''
Meredith lamented that no one seemed willing to take charge when the Cavaliers had a chance to win at the end.
``One guy has to step out there and be the butt-kicker,'' Meredith said. ``We didn't have it.''
by CNB