Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 26, 1995 TAG: 9502280041
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In the end, though, the Colonels toed the line and used free throws to beat the Cougars 59-51 to claim the Roanoke Valley District Tournament championship Saturday night at the Salem Civic Center.
Both teams are in the Northwestern Region Tournament, which starts Tuesday night. Fleming (18-5) will be at home against Stafford by virtue of the victory; Pulaski County (18-5) will play at Woodbridge.
The two RVD rivals have split four games this season. However, Fleming has won the ones that counted, beating the Cougars on Monday in a playoff for the regular-season title and Saturday night for the tournament championship.
``We didn't play extremely well, but neither did they. But we'll take it,'' said Fleming coach Burrall Paye, whose team did not get to play until nearly 10 p.m. ``We were just tired and it was late.''
Fleming hit 28 of 43 free throws to win the game. The Cougars were 15-of-21, and that was the difference.
Another difference was Colonels guard Derrick Hines. He had a slow first half, but during prime time he stepped up. Hines hit 12 of 17 free throws, but he drilled eight of nine in the final quarter.
Because of foul problems, Fleming resorted to the delay game in the third quarter. That forced the Cougars out of the zone, and they wound up committing more fouls as Hines kept driving the middle.
``I think we kept our composure,'' Hines said. ``We played through [the fouls].
``My game wasn't really on, but I tried to keep my teammates in it and come up with a victory.''
Paye saw it differently.
``I thought he played super and controlled,'' the coach said. ``He deserved all the [accolades] he got tonight.''
James Stokes kept the Colonels in control during the first half with 13 points. He made nine of 11 free throws in the first two quarters, but soon after intermission the 6-foot-5 junior picked up his fourth foul, as did Sterling Tate.
The two returned to action with 4 minutes, 7 seconds left. Stokes immediately hit a follow shot to stretch the Colonels' lead to 49-39. After that, it was Hines' show and Fleming kept going to the line.
Both teams struggled with their field-goal shooting. Fleming hit only 15 of 50, and it wasn't a lot better for the Cougars, who made but 18 of 49.
``This is the third time these teams have played in nine days,'' said Pat Burns, Pulaski County's coach. ``Familiarity breeds a game like that. But I'd like to play them two more times, because that means we'd be in the state championship game.''
Tyrone Hash scored 18 points to lead the Cougars, going 7-for-12 from the field. But Eric Webb appeared tired and made only four of 16 field-goal attempts. He finished with 15 points.
PULASKI COUNTY (51)
Hash 7 4-4 18, Burns 2 0-0 4, Webb 4 7-12 15, Ratcliff 2 0-1 4, McNair 2 4-4 8, Miller 1 0-0 2, Lilly 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 15-21 51.
WILLIAM FLEMING (59)
Burnette 1 2-4 4, Tate 1 0-0 2, Stokes 4 10-14 18, Hines 4 12-17 20, Hampton 2 3-5 8, Copney 1 1-3 3, Terry 2 0-0 4. Totals 15 28-43 59.
Pulaski County 8--14--11--18--51
William Fleming 10--14--15--20--59
Three-point goal: Hampton. Team fouls: Pulaski County 27, William Fleming 19. Fouled out: Ratlicliff, Tate.
by CNB