Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 11, 1995 TAG: 9502140058
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
``We definitely played team basketball,'' said Knights coach Chris Carr.
Appearing in their final home game, five Cave Spring seniors scored in double figures and combined for 69 points, leading the Knights to a 78-64 come-from-behind victory over Roanoke Valley District opponent Patrick Henry.
James Irvin emerged from a recent slump to lead Cave Spring with 20 points, 15 of which came on five baskets (of six attempts) from 3-point range. Daniel Shertz, earning a rare start, contributed 14 points and did not miss a shot.
Mainstays Matt Matheny, John Finnerty and Dusty Beekman added 13, 12 and 10 points, respectively.
The Knights upped their record to 12-7 overall, 5-2 in the Roanoke Valley District. PH dropped to 6-12, 0-7.
The Patriots seemed poised for an upset early, taking a 37-32 lead at the half. Seven PH players scored in the first two periods, with center Chris Combs accounting for 14 points.
``We played well in the first half,'' said Patriots coach Woody Deans, who has scouted the Knights many times this season. ``We've played several good halves this year. Unfortunately, we've had a hard time putting two good halves together.''
Carr felt Cave Spring's second-half defense was the difference. ``Our defense fuels our offense,'' Carr said.
``Our coaching staff could not come to a consensus as to what kind of defense we should play in the second half, so it was up to me to make the decision.
``I chose to go with a pressing style of defense, because that's what we play best in practice,'' Carr said.
``We decided to light the candle, and see how it would burn - and it exploded against PH.''
With Finnerty, Beekman, Matheny and point guard Jeff Lang scoring, the Knights opened the second half with a 12-4 run in 2 minutes, 16 seconds and led 44-41 before PH called timeout.
``This second half was reminiscent of our second half against Fleming when we scored 51 points,'' Carr said.
Known for a vaunted 3-point attack, the Knights shot 55 percent (11-of-20) from beyond the arc.
``The main thing is confidence,'' said Irvin, who termed Friday's performance his best of the season. ``This game is pretty much won in your head, and tonight, I came out feeling it.''
Shertz, who nearly doubled his previous career high (eight points Monday night against Franklin County), was virtually flawless.
``I just took what their defense gave me,'' Shertz said. ``With all the good shooters on our team, I was left open several times.''
Cave Spring continued its free-throw mastery, making 13 of 16 attempts (81.3 percent). ``Teams don't like to foul us,'' Carr said. ``That's why we went to a delay offense with five minutes left.''
Combs led all scorers with 25 points, and helped the Patriots to a 37-30 rebound advantage.
``Chris rebounded extremely hard,'' Deans said.
``Combs had a big night,'' Carr acknowledged. ``But he had to work for it.''
by CNB