ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, March 10, 1996 TAG: 9603110110
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: ALEXANDRIA
MEMO: NOTE: Shorter version ran in Metro edition<.
Once the grief of losing 75-54 to James Madison in the Group AAA quarterfinals Saturday wears off a little, Pulaski County's girls' basketball team can comfort itself with the knowledge that little short of a cosmic disturbance will keep it from making it back to the state tournament next year.
Without a senior on a 12-girl roster, the future will be bright for these Cougars (19-8).
But it will be for James Madison, too. The Warhawks are losing only three seniors. They are carrying three sophomores and three freshmen on the current roster
``They lose only three seniors but one big one,'' Pulaski County coach Buddy Farris said.
That one being redheaded, 5-foot-9 guard Katie Smrcka-Duffy, who mesmerized an appreciative audience at Mount Vernon High School by scoring 33 points, grabbing seven rebounds, passing out four assists, and making five steals.
It was for Pulaski County an unforgettable performance.
``We didn't have anybody who could stay with her,'' Farris said.
For the Madison faithful, they'd seen it all before. Smrcka-Duffy, who sets the fashion trend in the Warhawks dressing quarters with a terry cloth headband and flowing ponytail (a look copied by most of her teammates), and the pace on the court, averages almost 30 points per game and scored 42 in a Northern Region tournament game.
Madison coach Pat Deegan has had some terrific teams (the Warhawks won the state title in 1991 and 1993) and some marvelous players, but he freely admits he's not had one like Smrcka-Duffy.
``In my 16 years of coaching, she's the best who has come through in terms of the total package she brings,'' Deegan said.
Smrcka-Duffy collected her third foul in the first half when Pulaski County was within six points.
``Our plan was to take it to her, but I don't think she had another foul the rest of the game,'' Farris said.
Actually, she did, but by then, nothing was going to save the Cougars anyway.
The Cougars remained within potential comeback range most of the game mainly by refusing to fold. Whenever James Madison (26-3) sensed danger, the defense picked up, Pulaski County turnovers started to leak out (21 for the game), and the Warhawks pulled away again.
Lisa Skeens, the Pulaski County point guard, had one of her better games with 18 points and five assists. She made seven of 11 field-goal attempts. Katrina Williams, the freshman guard, scored 13 before fouling out.
``I was impressed with Pulaski County,'' Deegan said. ``They did a lot of good things. Katrina Williams is going to be a heck of a player for the next three years.''
Williams made eight of 15 free-throw attempts to key a 21-for-35 team output at the line. The Cougars outscored the Warhawks by six at the free-throw line.
``We usually shoot foul shots better than we did,'' Farris said.
James Madison advances to the semifinals where it will play James River, which defeated Salem-Virginia Beach 41-27 in another quarterfinal game.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 66 linesby CNB