Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 1, 1995 TAG: 9503010093
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Everyone took a turn making the big plays for Christiansburg on Tuesday night. When they were done, the Blue Demons had turned back Lee of Jonesville 72-56 in the first round of the Region IV boys' basketball tournament.
Christiansburg (19-4) earned the right to travel to Richlands (16-7) on Thursday for a regional semifinal. A berth in the Group AA tournament goes to the winner. If the Demons win, it will be their first trip to state play since 1989 - which also was their last trip to regional play before Tuesday.
This victory wasn't assured until the last of the Demons' heroes emerged. Darrell Calloway, an All-New River District forward, had been held scoreless for the first three quarters. But the 6-foot junior broke loose for 13 points in the final period - matching his average.
The Generals (16-8) closed to 53-49 with a little less than five minutes to go. Then, Christiansburg called time out and went to work. First, Brian Porter provided some brething room with a 3-pointer. Then, Calloway drove for a basket after a Lee turnover.
All told, nine of Calloway's points came after the timeout as the Generals crashed the boards hard and overplayed on defense in an effort to avoid a season-ending loss.
``I don't know ... they just found me in the lane,'' Calloway said. ``And I couldn't hit a thing in the first half.''
After that first half, Christiansburg led 30-27. Then, the Demons ran off the first nine points in the opening 31/2 minutes of the third quarter - including seven in a row by Ryan Hubble. The senior hit a short jumper, a 3-pointer and a layup. The surge put the Blue Demons in front 39-27, their largest lead until less than 11/2 minutes remained in the game.
``They were at a big disadvantage because they had a small guy trying to guard me,'' said Hubble, who stands 6-1. ``We decided to take advantage of it.''
Lee was able to claw its way back into the game after Hubble's heroics. But allowing Calloway to roam free proved costly.
``I had wanted to press coming out in the second half, but we could never score to set up the press,'' said Jerry Myers, the Generals' coach. ``We got ourselves back in the ballgame and cut [the deficit] to four. But I don't know if we relaxed or what. We never could get back after that.''
Of course, Christiansburg had more than just Hubble and Calloway. Senior John Hairston, the New River District's player of the year, quietly had 14 points. He opened the game with a 3-pointer and began the third-quarter run with a layup.
And off the bench, junior Carlton Ashbrook struck for 11 points. Porter, also a junior, finished with nine - on three 3-pointers.
``That's the best-balanced scoring we've had all year,'' coach Gerald Thompson said as he looked at the Blue Demons` scorebook after the game. ``It shows the depth we have. Everyone was watching out for everyone, they were picking each other up. Then, in the fourth quarter, Darrell [Calloway] just took over.''
by CNB