Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 22, 1995 TAG: 9502220110
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Perhaps the strangest thing of all was seeing Patrick Henry running a delay game in its Roanoke Valley District tournament battle with Franklin County.
This was PH coach Woody Deans, who loves a running game nearly as much as he likes life, holding the ball. It was also just about 30 minutes after Alleghany had used a 78-foot heave to win a Blue Ridge District tournament game on the same floor.
PH's strategy didn't work as Franklin County won the first-round game 53-44 to advance to Friday night's semifinals, where the Eagles will play regular-season champion William Fleming. With the loss, the Patriots completed their first season in which they failed to win a district game.
``When we went to the delay, we didn't take the shots we wanted,'' said Deans, whose team struggled to an 6-15 overall record.
Reminded his team had played Franklin County two hotly contested games during the regular season by going up and down the court with the Eagles, Deans said, ``We hadn't beaten anyone in the district all year. If we were going to make a wave in the tournament, we had to do something different.''
Deans, however, didn't have the horses as he has so many times in the past as the Roanoke basketball coach with the most state championships (in 1988 and 1992).
Franklin County (12-9) won because Carlos Holland dominated inside with 17 points and 12 rebounds while outside the Eagles hit just enough 3-point shots to keep the Patriots from getting too close.
``I couldn't believe it,'' said Holland of PH's strategy. ``It gave us a chance to rest because they're usually an up-tempo team. I'm sure Fleming won't do that.''
Franklin County coach Calvin Preston sympathized with Deans. ``I know how much Woody puts into his team and how hard his kids work. He's had some great teams and this year he was just three or four points from finishing in third or fourth place in the district,'' said Preston.
The Patriots went into the stall late in the opening quarter. When K.C. Hancock, who had 13 points, hit a jumper and PH made a turnover, the delay game was at an end. By the half, Franklin County was on top 20-11 and for the rest of the time, PH had to play at the Eagles' tempo.
Franklin County made 18 of 43 shots and six of 17 from 3-point range. ``I don't need them to make them all, but let us make one every once in awhile,'' said Preston, whose teams went through some dry spells in shooting to permit PH to hang within 10 points.
The Patriots made only 19 of 53 shots, but held a 41-30 edge on the boards thanks to 11 rebounds by Chris Combs and nine from Brooks Berry, who also had three assists and three steals. Holland's help came from junior K.C. Hancock, who added 13 points as the only other Eagle in double figures.
Memo: NOTE: Shorter version ran in Metro edition.