Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 7, 1995 TAG: 9511070080
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DALEVILLE LENGTH: Medium
In the past two years, William Byrd has struggled against Salem in girls' basketball.
Except when the outcome of the game determines pairings for tournaments, Salem has dominated.
On Monday, that was the case. With a region tournament berth on the line, William Byrd edged the Spartans 50-48 for the Blue Ridge District regular season title on Kelli Runyon's two free throws with 12 seconds left.
Equally important to the title, Byrd moved into next week's Region III tournament and needs to win only one game in the semifinals to make the Group AA tournament for the second straight year. Salem must come back through the Blue Ridge District tournament that might include a rematch with Lord Botetourt, which upset the Spartans last week to create Monday's playoff battle.
Last fall, Byrd (20-2) lost three games to Salem before winning the Region III championship game. That contest kept Byrd at home for a first-round game in the Group AA state tournament while Salem had to go on the road, where it lost to Marion.
Runyon's free throws followed her turnover and steal to draw a foul. Earlier in the quarter she had missed a free-throw attempt, her only miss as she hit all four shots she took from the floor and made seven-of-eight from the free-throw line.
``That's what I was thinking about,'' said Runyon of her missed free-throw attempt. ``I missed a last-second free throw in an earlier game. I couldn't let that happen again.''
Runyon, a senior, pointed out that her class, despite playing in the state tournament twice, never had won a district title. Cathy Smith, another senior, added 17 points, three assists, four rebounds and four steals in one of her best games to support Runyon.
Byrd's matchup zone defense held Salem's top two scorers, Shellie Johnson and Sarah Palmer, to a combined 28 points. Still, when Palmer hit a 3-pointer with 1:21 left, it brought the Spartans (15-5) within a point.
``I thought we were going to win it,'' said Salem coach Dee Wright.
Johnson's free throw tied the score with 27 seconds left, setting up the scramble that led to Runyon's free throws. After that, Salem guard Mandy Williams, wearing a brace after a knee injury in the loss to Lord Botetourt, missed a 3-point attempt to win. Salem got the ball out of bounds, but Tina Slate, who had a season-high 16, missed a jumper at the buzzer.
``We had our chances,'' Wright said. ``On the last shot, Byrd had Sarah and Shellie covered.''
Byrd outrebounded Salem 13-6 in the second half and hit 19-of-33 field-goal attempts for the game. The Spartans were cold, connecting on 18-of-48 but stayed in the game by forcing 31 turnovers.
``We didn't play good defense the first half, and we didn't block out. We did in the second half,'' said Byrd coach Richard Thrasher. ``For us to win, it has to be our defense. I'm proud of our teams because Salem is very good.''
NOTE" Please see micorfilm for scores.
by CNB