ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 22, 1996 TAG: 9602220060
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
Deliberate offenses are marvelous, well-ordered basketball creations, and a delight to coaching enthusiasts everywhere.
However, such attacks are not as useful for those teams who find themselves playing from behind. Under such circumstances, it can be like trying to catch a motorcycle with a horse and buggy.
Such was the case as Blacksburg beat patient Carroll County 51-29 Wednesday night as the last New River District tournament opened. The Cavaliers led for the first 4:29, but after the lead was gone, Carroll County's situation deteriorated from bad to grave to fatal.
Blacksburg (8-9) advances to the tournament final Friday on the floor of well-rested and top-seeded Christiansburg. Carroll County (4-18) will turn in its uniforms as the school prepares for the opening of baseball practice Monday.
It was the melancholy passing of an era for Carroll County , marked by little fanfare in a gym where only state championship banners adorn the wall. The countless New River District and Region IV trophies and flags have been packed away somewhere.
Blacksburg has a shot of one more of both in basketball. With the victory, the Indians qualified for the Group AA Region IV tournament and will travel to Grundy of the Southwest District on Tuesday.
``We didn't talk to them about the region,'' Blacksburg coach Bob Trear said. ``All they need to know is we're playing Friday.''
If the occasion of the last NRD game at Blacksburg was a sentimental one for Trear, who has either played or coached in this league most of his life, it didn't show. Not so for Carroll County's Pat Sharp, a former Cavalier himself.
``We'll miss the New River District,'' he said. ``I know I will. I played in it when it had nine teams and coached in it when it had three.''
Indians Center Philip Klaus had 18 points and seven rebounds, guard Jon Hutchins added 14 points, and forward Michael Davis kicked in 11 rebounds to go with six points.
Blacksburg dominated the glass 31-15 and forced 19 turnovers out of the Cavaliers starters.
Carroll County had beaten the Indians 70-68 in two overtimes Monday as Cavs big man Jeremy Ogle was scoring 22 points. Two days later, Ogle was held to 10 points, a figure matched by Jody Edwards. The Cavaliers had only 12 field goals and scored three points in the second quarter and four in the fourth.
``Blacksburg is so patient that they're hard to come back on,'' Sharp said. ``Monday, we shut down the inside somewhat but tonight, they were able to isolate Klaus and Davis much better.''
see microfilm for box score
LENGTH: Medium: 56 linesby CNB