Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 7, 1995 TAG: 9502070107
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Now that football season is over, are you ready for some roundball?
The Cave Spring and Franklin County basketball teams put on a game-ending scoring display in a Roanoke Valley District contest Monday night at Cave Spring that would make Hank Williams Jr. salivate.
The Knights (11-7 overall, 4-2 Roanoke Valley District) won 82-76, converting nine of their last 10 free-throw attempts and thwarting a furious Franklin County rally.
The teams combined for 24 points in the final 1 minute, 41 seconds. Franklin County (9-7, 1-3) trailed 73-61 before scoring six points in five seconds and 13 points in 1:13.
The Eagles' Carlos Holland, who led all scorers with 27 points (on 11 of 12 field goals and four of five free throws), spearheaded the nearly miraculous comeback.
Holland made four field goals, including a 3-pointer and a driving, scoop-shot during the stretch run. He also intentionally missed a free throw which enabled teammate K.C. Hancock to score two points on the rebound.
Holland's 3-point goal brought the Eagles within three (77-74) with 33 seconds left but Cave Spring's Daniel Shertz and Dusty Beekman made five free throws at the end to preserve the win.
``I feel good with a six-point loss,'' said Eagles coach Calvin Preston. ``It shows our guys never give up, no matter what the situation.
``We just didn't play against Cave Spring down at our place,'' a 71-50 win for the Knights.
The winning coach was not as ecstatic and expressed concern with his team's turnovers.
``This win was closer than we'd like, but we'll take it,'' said Chris Carr. ``We played unintelligent basketball. We can't lose if they don't have the ball. It's something we'll have to work on.''
Matt Matheny led the winners with 23 points. Point guard Jeff Lang scored a career-high 21, including four baskets in the game's opening four minutes.
Substitute Shertz added eight points, also a career high, and drew praise from Carr for his all-around play.
Shertz made two important steals and a sensational behind-the-back assist to Beekman for a layup.
The Knights opened up 10-point leads in the first period (15-5 and 19-9) and were ahead by nine (58-49) in the third quarter, but the Eagles repeatedly closed the gap.
by CNB