ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, February 10, 1996 TAG: 9602120075
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
What was supposed to be the last Woody Deans show at home turned out to be a Brooks Berry showcase of basketball.
Deans, the retiring coach of Patrick Henry's team, was supposed to be appearing for the last time at the Patriots' gym. Those plans went awry earlier this week when the PH-William Fleming game had to be rescheduled at the Patriots' gym next Thursday.
The planned farewell festivities still took place for Deans, but it was Berry who got the attention as he scored 25 points, dealt six assists, had four steals and blocked one shot to lead PH past Cave Spring 78-64 in a Roanoke Valley District game Friday.
Berry had an incentive. Though he wanted to honor Deans, the 6-foot-5 senior also wanted his first victory over Cave Spring in basketball.
``He played extremely well,'' said Deans. ``Brooks was dogged-determined to get the job done.''
Deans didn't mind sharing the spotlight, because the victory kept PH (9-8, 3-2) in the RVD race and left them a half-game back of the second-place Knights (10-9, 4-2).
``In my junior varsity year, we had them down 16 points and they came [back] to win the game,'' said Berry about one of his past disappointments against the Knights.
``I've been real unlucky against them. This might be my last chance, so I had to go out and get them. The fact that I stepped up when we needed the shots, this was my best game of the year.''
Unless both PH and Cave Spring can beat William Fleming next week, it's likely these teams will wind up in second and third in the RVD. That would set up a possible third meeting in the RVD tournament. Cave Spring won the first game against the Patriots.
The Patriots jumped ahead 12-11 on Maleek Shareef's layup in the first quarter and never lost the lead. The game, however, was far from over.
The Patriots used the running game to open a 39-31 lead at intermission, with Berry scoring 15 points. The Knights came back in a zone to slow the tempo and gradually they pulled back into the game by going inside to Alex Phillips, who had 20 points, and using outside shooting from David Harms and Chad Johnston.
``We didn't do a good job communicating with each other and had a poor defensive effort,'' said Cave Spring coach Chris Carr. ``Brooks Berry looked right at home. He's the kind of player that if you allow to get in a comfort zone, it can be a long night. If you frustrate him, he can have a rough night. The key is to keep him out of the flow.''
Despite Berry's domination, Cave Spring cut the deficit to 48-47, but PH went for a last-second shot, and Ronnie Kasey hit a jumper to make it a three-point game after three quarters.
``We needed to be patient [against the Cave Spring zone],'' said Deans. ``We weren't getting the shots we wanted and we didn't want to take a chance on the outside shots.''
In the final period, the Knights crept to 61-59. Jeff Lang then missed two straight 3-point shots, and that led to a fast break basket with Kasey setting up Boo Battle. Brian Jackson hit two free throws on the next possession to give PH a six-point lead with 2:30 remaining.
Cave Spring had to switch out of the zone, and the Patriots ran away for the final 14-point margin.
Kasey was the catalyst with nine assists. He keyed the fast break along with Berry.
``My teammates got open. I love them, especially Boo Battle,'' said Kasey. ``People can't stop looking at me because they don't know what I'll do when I go to the hole - shoot it or dish off.''
Both teams shot well, with the Knights hitting 26-of-48 (54.2 percent), while PH made 31-of-52 (59.6 percent). The Patriots had a great fourth quarter, connecting on 10-of-12 field-goal attempts.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ERIC BRADY/Staff. Patrick Henry's Brooks Berry (52) getsby CNBfouled by Cave Spring's Chad Johnston (right) while Billy Frantz
(34) defends. Berry scored 25 as the Patriots won 78-64. color.