Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 11, 1995 TAG: 9510110096
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Terriers came up against one tough team too many Tuesday night, falling to Salem 66-54 in a Blue Ridge District girls' basketball on the Spartans' floor that was a rematch between last year's top two teams.
Salem's quick trigger came fromwas far too fast for Byrd as she gunned inscored 26 points. It was a repeat of last year's regular season, when Salem swept the Terriers on the way to the district championship.
Byrd (2-1 in the district) had rumbled through 12 games without a loss against Timesland's toughest schedule. While Johnson dominated Tuesday night, Byrd's top two scorers - Brandy Allen and Cathy Smith - were held in check. Kristi Dyer kept it close until the final four minutes.
``We were really focused for this game. We had a good practice yesterday,'' Johnson said. The Spartans' focus was sharpened by an upset loss to Northside last week that made this game a virtual must-win in the district race for Salem.
Both teams were tight early in Tuesday's gamethey had scored six points (only ) and the teams had taken 10 shots between them and combined for 19 turnovers.
``I thought we never would get our first basket,'' said Dee Wright, Salem's coach. ``Then, Shellie picked up the tempo. We started running with the ball, pushing it. That's what we have to do.''
Johnson hit eight of 15 shots from the floor and 10 of 11 from the free-throw line. More importantly, she had five of the Spartans' steals as Salem forced 37 turnovers.
``I always have to let the game come to me,'' said Johnson, who had only two points in the first quarter. ``I can't force anything, but my teammates got pumped up and that brings everyone together.''
``They're a good team, but we've been hurt by turnovers all year by a lack of ability to play together,'' said Richard Thrasher, Byrd's coach. ``You can't turn the ball over and get beat on the boards in key situations like we did and expect to win. How many shots did we miss under the basket?''
Johnson had help from center Sarah Palmer, who had 19 points and 10 rebounds. The sophomore scored 14 after intermission and grabbed four rebounds during the final quarter, when the Spartans (8-3, 2-1) owned the boards 13-8.
Byrd had its chances. Early in the final period, the Terriers missed three shots that would have cut the deficit to four points. Then, Palmer hit a layup and Marilyn Huang added a bucket to make it 56-46.
Byrd tried to rally again, closing to 60-52 and forcing a turnover. The Terriers couldn't convert, and after a swap of baskets, Huang's basket with 54 seconds left clinched Salem's victory.
\ see microfilm for box score
by CNB