Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 28, 1995 TAG: 9501300053
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Herschel Thomas, the Spartans' diminutive freshman guard, scored the last three of his nine fourth-quarter points on a 25-foot shot at the buzzer as Salem upended William Byrd 68-65 in a Blue Ridge District game at the Terriers' gym.
Salem improved its record to 7-6 overall and 3-1 in the district. The Terriers, who entered the game tied for third in the Associated Press Group AA poll, saw their record drop to 12-2, 3-1.
Thomas stole the game's theatrics from Byrd's Chris Childress, who scored a game-high 25 points (on 11-of-17 shooting from the floor) and made both ends of a one-and-one to tie the score at 65 with seven seconds left.
After Childress' free throws, Salem inbounded the ball to Bryan Monroe, who quickly advanced the ball to the frontcourt. Monroe picked up his dribble while looking for Kevin Garst, who was covered in a corner. Monroe then found Thomas on the left wing, two strides beyond the 3-point arc, just in front of Spartans coach Charlie Morgan.
Thomas released his shot as the horn sounded - and the Salem bench erupted in a fashion not seen since its Group AA championship in March.
Was it the biggest basket Thomas had ever made?
``So far,'' he said, grinning. ``Childress deflected the pass, but I still caught it. I didn't feel much pressure.''
Thomas, who was elevated from the junior varsity to a varsity starter last week, finished with 12 points.
``We have a lot of confidence in Herschel,'' said Morgan, who as an Andrew Lewis High School senior 22 seasons ago made a shot beyond the half-court line to beat Cave Spring. ``Last Saturday, we were in a similar situation [a 73-71 loss to Fairdale of Louisville, Ky., at the Salem Civic Center] and Herschel missed a shot from the corner. But tonight he was on the bench side of the court, and I guess he heard everyone pulling for him. ... He's a gamer. He's going to be a good one.''
Morgan acknowledged the last freshman to start for the Spartans was Mark Byington, who led Salem to its state title last season.
Garst and Chad Pendleton paced the Spartans on Friday night with 19 and 13 points, respectively.
Salem made eight of its nine field-goal attempts in the last period. Thomas and Pendleton each hit two 3-pointers during the quarter.
Michael McGuire played a sterling game for the Terriers, contributing 23 points and missing only four shots.
``I thought both teams played well,'' said Paul Barnard, Byrd's coach.
The Terriers made nine of their first 13 field-goal attempts and finished the game 28-of-47 (59.6 percent). Salem shot 52.8 percent (28-of-53).
Barnard didn't fault his team's defense on the final shot.
``Who are you going to let take that shot?'' Barnard asked. ``Garst, their leading scorer? Monroe, who hit two 3s? Pendleton, who showed all game he could knock it down?
``We wanted Thomas to take the shot. In fact, I believe I'd give him that shot again.''
by CNB