Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 8, 1995 TAG: 9504110057
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Until now.
His last two teams have won Group A state championships and 56 games in a row. It could have been three straight titles, but the Buffaloes lost 49-47 in the 1992 Group A state semifinals to eventual champion Wilson Memorial.
In 1983, Floyd County finished second in the Group A state tournament under Cantrell. He then left Floyd County for a while before returning five years ago as the boys' and girls' basketball coach.
With his honor as Timesland's top girls' coach, Cantrell has this wish: ``I'm hoping to get the boys to the same level as the girls and get to state competition.''
Don't bet against it. Floyd County has been a winning boys program and made the Region C tournament under Cantrell. It just hasn't reached the top like the girls.
Actually, girls' basketball at Floyd County is more like a religion. It has a huge following, and it is the center of life around Floyd during the fall. That's both a curse and pleasure for Cantrell.
``With the girls, it's a challenge each year because of the support we have,'' said Cantrell, who understands that losing is unacceptable in girls' basketball at Floyd County .
``The sandlots make it an easier job. Being recognized as Timesland Coach of the Year is a credit to the rest of the coaching staff, the school and the support of the community we get here. It's not something that I've done. I give credit to the people who have helped us from elementary school all the way through.''
Cantrell faces yet another challenge next year if the Buffaloes are to add a third consecutive state crown.
``With our program, we hope to again being very competitive and continue the program by building on some things. Each year is different with a another group because of graduation. Next year we'll be more guard oriented. It will be a challenge to see how we do without [All-Timesland selections] Carrie Chaffin and Leigh-Ann Pursifull.''
Cantrell lost coaching honors last year to Staunton River's Linwood Roberts, who took the Golden Eagles to a place where no Staunton River team had been - the state tournament.
This year Cantrell beat out a master, Salem's Dee Wright, who has turned out consistently strong teams at three different schools. Cantrell beat Wright and Salem, but the Spartans pulled a big surprise by knocking off William Byrd three consecutive times to win the Blue Ridge District tournament and regular season titles.
Wright's team lost to Byrd in the Region III championship game, putting the Spartans on the road in the Group AA state tournament. They lost a 55-51 heartbreaker at Marion.
Cantrell also beat out Liberty's David Grant. The Minettes made the Region III tournament and went 18-6. Liberty knocked off three straight Seminole District opponents in the tournament to qualify for the Region III tournament.
by CNB