ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 16, 1995 TAG: 9512180072
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
PULASKI COUNTY looks better than a team playing its first game of the season in winning 62-47.
Had the portly gent in the red suit with the politically incorrect white trim arrived here Friday night instead of week after next, there is little doubt what he would have dropped off.
In the burgundy and gold socks of Pulaski County High's basketball team, he would have left a teeth-wrecking pile of the most delectable sweets.
In the blue and gold socks of Blacksburg's Indians, his delivery would have been a lump of coal big enough to fire a boiler.
Pulaski County played remarkably well for a team opening its season and drilled staggering Blacksburg 62-47 on the Indians' floor.
With only one starter, point guard Jamar McNair, back and no players taller than 6-2, the Cougars showed the type of precision game they're going to have to play to contend at the Group AAA level.
Pulaski County pressed when it wanted to, launched 3-point shots when convenient, and stayed on the attack throughout.
``I told them that I couldn't remember having a team that deserved to win its opening game more than this one did because of how hard they've worked in practice,'' Pulaski County coach Pat Burns said. ``I'm pleased.''
It's easy to see why. When it comes to executing a game plan, Burns has quite a floor general in McNair. Any time somebody was open, which was often, McNair found him. When it suited him, McNair would take off for the hoop or pop a short shot from outside. In all, he scored a game-high 23 for the Cougars.
``We had a to wait a little while to get into it,'' he said. ``But overall, we played pretty good - for the first game.''
Everybody saw action for the Cougars. Stephen Owen chipped in 10 points and Derrick Hunter had eight.
The score was 11-10 when Jon Hutchins sank a pair of free throws for the Indians (0-3), but Pulaski County then scored the next nine points to build a double-figure lead it would maintain the rest of the game. The Cougars led by as many as 18.
Blacksburg got 22 points from Hutchins before he fouled out and 21 from talented post man Philip Klaus, but only Jarian Kerekes and Michael Davis scored additional points for Blacksburg and they had but two each.
``I'd like to say something witty, but I've run out of wit,'' Blacksburg coach Bob Trear said.
Trear mentioned that he couldn't remember a team he's had that's in better physical shape than this one is at this stage. But after losses to Salem, Northside and the Cougars, Blacksburg hasn't played worth a hoot.
``That's why you play 20 games, I guess,'' he said. ``If we had a four-game schedule, we'd be hurting. I know this team can play better than this.
``I know it.''
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 59 linesby CNB