ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, February 24, 1996 TAG: 9602270038
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
Broad-shouldered Michael Davis is turning out to be a different kind of basketball player, and because of the 6-foot-2 junior, Blacksburg High School is turning out to be a different type of basketball team.
Davis, an inside muscleman, scored 16 points to go with 14 rebounds while keeping his defensive game up to the same high standard as Blacksburg outlasted archrival Christiansburg 49-43 on Friday night for the last New River District tournament championship.
``Davis has really come around offensively,'' said Gerald Thompson, Christiansburg's coach. ``That's given them a whole new dimension.''
Thompson speaks from experience after seeing Davis face his team three times this season. In the first two meetings, Davis didn't do near the damage he did the last time. Not coincidentally, the Indians lost the previous two games, the most recent a 49-48 mind-bender a couple of weeks ago that clinched the district's regular-season title for the Demons.
Davis has been very good lately, scoring five consecutive points down the stretch in overtime to finish with 20 in a 70-68 victory over Carroll County on Monday, then coming back with 12 rebounds in a 41-29 victory over the Cavaliers in the tournament opener Wednesday.
Davis seemed astonished at what he had done to Christiansburg.
``It's not me,'' he said. ``I'm in there to rebound, not to score, but they kept getting me the ball down low and there were a lot of good shots.''
The Demons (15-5) never led, but fought back gamely after falling 17 points in arrears early in the second half. Christiansburg took advantage of foul trouble for Blacksburg center Philip Klaus and closed to 34-33 when Eric Lucas sank a jumper with 6:13 left. The Demons had the ball with a chance to take the lead, but Klaus scored and Jon Hutchins followed with a steal and a layup, and that was the working margin the Indians made stand.
Not without some help, though. The Indians went 6-for-13 from free-throw the line and missed the front ends of three one-and-ones in the last 6:33, but Christiansburg was unable to make up ground.
``They missed the foul shots for us, but then we couldn't score at the other end,'' Thompson said.
Christiansburg got 14 points and seven rebounds from its big man, Michael Kazee, who also teamed with David Rhudy for five blocked shots and numerous scared shooters.
Blacksburg visits Grundy on Tuesday as the Region IV tournament opens. Christiansburg draws a bye and will entertains the Virginia High-Graham winner Thursday.
It was a tough game, strenuously played by two teams that already knew where they would be next week.
``Blacksburg-Christiansburg,'' said Thompson, who needed no other elaboration.
Strange and sad to think that was the last one in the New River. Both teams go to the Blue Ridge next year to start some new rivalries.
Blacksburg's Bob Trear has coached here for 29 years (the past 23 as a head coach) and spent four as a player at Christiansburg. Thompson has coached here for 11 years after playing at Blacksburg.
``There's been some knockdown drag-outs,'' Trear said.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 64 linesby CNB