ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, March 2, 1996 TAG: 9603030017
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
THE HIGHLANDERS make it back to the state tournament with a 57-44 victory.
A nice little rivalry might be developing between Glenvar and Floyd County now that the Highlanders will be joining the Three Rivers District next season.
``Start up the tractor. Start up the tractor,'' the Glenvar gallery sang in the closing moments of Friday night's Group A, Region C basketball semifinal.
Gloating was allowed, rude though it may be, as veteran Glenvar put the sleeper hold on the Buffaloes 57-44.
Glenvar (18-6), which starts four seniors and a junior, returns to the state tournament from which it emerged last year as the surprise runner-up. First, the Highlanders face Grayson County, a 77-62 winner over George Wythe, for the regional crown at 7:30 tonight at Blacksburg High.
Floyd County, which loses two seniors, one of them a starter, finishes 19-4.
Floyd County came in waves, as is its practice, using the whole floor while fresh troops were substituted hockey-style in and out. Glenvar's Cory Willis, Eric East, James Williams and Perry Taylor missed about a minute and a half of playing time among them and emerged wilt-free.
``Everybody plays physical in the Pioneer District and everybody has big men,'' said Williams, a big fellow himself at 6-foot-5. ``We're used to this.''
Having a big game along with Williams, who had 11 points and five rebounds, was guard Josh Williamson, the only junior among the starters. An 83 percent free-throw shooter, Williamson made 10-of-12 from the line on the way to 18 points. He also handled the ball most of the time against the Floyd County press.
``They were fouling the right guy,'' Glenvar coach Art Lawrence said. ``He's our best free-throw shooter. We were worried about their press. We had some turnovers, but we did a good job overall punishing the press.''
Floyd County had only one field goal in the last 4:34 of the second quarter as Glenvar was working its way to a 28-20 halftime lead. Taylor began the scoring in the second half with a three-point play and that started a 7-0 run that gave Glenvar a 35-20 lead and a cushion it could work with the rest of the game.
``We have a nice inside-outside balance, so we don't mind getting into a halfcourt game,'' Floyd County coach Alan Cantrell said. ``We started to miss some shots we normally make and I think a little frustration set in.''
Both of the Buffaloes leading scorers, lean left-handed post player Derek Saunders (14 points) and guard Travis Cantrell (12) return. For a time in the first half, the Buffaloes had Travis Cantrell, wing Jason Dalton, and post Brian Swortzel on the floor at the same time. All three are sophomores.
Glenvar's experience was a big factor as was the multiple contributions of all who played. Willis, for example, scored only three points but had a season-high 13 rebounds.
``On the offensive end, they were worrying about Williams and giving me all the rebounds,'' Willis said.
With Saunders, Swortzel and Jesse Slusher to use in the post, Floyd County had a lot of fouls to give, but Glenvar was in no way opposed to mixing it up.
``We beat on each other like this every day in practice,'' Willis said.
The Highlanders have been plotting their return to the state tournament a year and now the objective is theirs.
Almost.
``We keep playing like this and we'll win it,'' Willis said.
see microfilm for box score
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Floyd County's Travis Cantrell (left) struggles toby CNBmaintain possession of the ball in a pileup with Glenvar's James
Williams during Region C action Friday night. color ALAN KIM/
Staff.