Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 28, 1995 TAG: 9501300054
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MONETA LENGTH: Medium
The Minutemen might rise to No.1 in Timesland after beating Staunton River 66-51 Friday in a Seminole District boys' basketball game.
With William Fleming and William Byrd falling in upsets Friday, Liberty (13-1 overall and in the Seminole District) likely will take over the top spot in Timesland to go along with its lofty No.3 rating in the state Group AA boys' basketball poll.
The Minutemen's victory was simple to explain. With Gregg Reynolds and Ryan Stevens doing most of the work in a tight man-to-man defense, Liberty limited Staunton River's Hunter Hoggatt to 15 points. In two games against Liberty, the leading scorer in Timesland has 26 points, barely above his 25.7 average per game entering Friday's contest.
Liberty also stopped Staunton River's other scorer, Cornelius Foxx, holding him to six points - more than 11 below his average. Zac St. Clair and sophomore Chris Ridgeway guarded him.
``Defense was what we were talking about at halftime. We let them get a couple of back-door layups, but that will happen,'' said Liberty coach Mark Hanks.
``We wanted to get on top of their scorers and make it tough on them. We wanted to keep them off the free-throw line. That was the key to beating them.''
Hoggatt didn't score until he hit a 3-pointer with 12 seconds left in the first quarter. Foxx's only points in the opening half came when he subbed for an injured player and hit two free throws. He had been on the bench in foul trouble.
``We've heard how much he [Hoggatt] scores and how he can't be stopped,'' said Reynolds. ``That makes me step up and play that much harder.''
Luckily for Liberty, the defense was good. The offense was inconsistent as the Minutemen built a 29-24 lead at the half. Then, Liberty opened up in the third quarter, sparked by freshman Raymond Arrington's 3-point shot, his second of the game.
``We were standing around the first half. We got the spark off the bench from that 3-pointer. You could see it in the kids' eyes and then we took it to double figures,'' said Hanks.
``Liberty's loaded,'' said Staunton River coach Eddie Carter. ``They're big, strong and fast. They have 10-12 guys who can flat out play. They have eight or nine kids capable of scoring in double figures. They have guys on their bench who could be averaging double figures for other teams.''
Liberty made 20-of-35 shots from the field. What hurt the Minutemen was 26 turnovers. Staunton River made only 16-of-45 from the field. Jeff English was high for the Golden Eagles (9-5, 9-5) with 18 points and nine rebounds.
J.J. Coles, who teams with Reynolds at guard, was Liberty's scoring leader with 14, one more than sophomore Chris Ridgeway, who drilled nine consecutive free throws in the second half as Liberty pulled away.
Coles said Liberty has learned a lesson with experience. ``Last year we got big-headed. This year we expected it and know how to handle it,'' said Coles.
``We played Altavista and Staunton River, two tough league foes. We wanted to make this like a tournament week,'' said Hanks.
by CNB