ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, February 23, 1996 TAG: 9602230061
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FROM STAFF REPORTS
James River trailed by a point with 5:13 remaining, but pulled out a 71-65 victory over shorthanded Covington on Thursday night in the first round of the Pioneer District tournament at the Cougars' gym.
Covington (12-9) was without leading scorer Dusty Roman and fellow starter Cory Whittaker, who were suspended early Thursday for disciplinary reasons. Brian Holloway tried to pick up the slack with 21 points and 14 rebounds, but it wasn't enough.
Chris Firebaugh and Travis Blankenship led James River (11-9) with 17 and 15 points, respectively. The Knights will take on Bath County, a 70-43 winner over Craig County at 7:30 tonight at Dabney Lancaster Community College in Clifton Forge.
In the other half of the bracket, top-seeded Glenvar faces Parry McCluer, a 72-46 winner over Highland, at 6 p.m.
Bath County 70, Craig County 43: In Hot Springs, the Chargers bolted to a 16-8 lead and left the Rockets in their tracks in a quarterfinal matchup to earn a home game with James River at 7:30 tonight.
Jon Rodgers had 11 of his game-high 23 points in the second quarter for Bath County (17-3). He scored 14 of the Cougars' first 37. Stewart Alexander added 18 for the Chargers.
Dwayne Crawford scored 16 points for Craig County, which finished 2-15.
VIC
Covenant Christian 64, Roanoke Valley Christian 59: Covenant Christian upset the Eagles in a tightly-contested first-round game in the Virginia Independent Conference tournament at Lynchburg College.
Chris Huffman led RVC (16-6) with 12 points. J.R. Briggs led Covenant, which is located in Cedar Bluff, with 13 points.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Short : 43 linesby CNB