ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, March 12, 1996 TAG: 9603120131
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RUSTBURG
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
The tendency is to be carried away when describing Liberty's 65-61 overtime victory over Gate City in a Group AA quarterfinal Monday at Rustburg High School.
So as to not overstate matters, let it be enough to say the Minutemen won a game in which it appeared they would lose with as little as 2 minutes, 38 seconds remaining.
At that point, Gate City's Jason Haynes had made a pair of free throws to give the Blue Devils a 55-44 lead and make the outlook for Liberty very bleak.
Especially since the Minutemen weren't shooting well, their press wasn't working, and one of their best players - sophomore whiz Raymond "Peanut'' Arrington had just fouled out after scoring 11 points.
That's when the Minutemen began to buckle down, cutting the lead to three on the strength of two 3-pointers. First came one by Neil Roop. Then came a defensive rebound and another 3-pointer, this one by J.J. Coles. Richard Howell then hit one of two free throws for Gate City, and Liberty raced down the floor for a Robert Carson jumper to trim the deficit to 56-54 with 1:41 left.
Then, after another Gate City turnover, Coles pumped in a pair of free throws to tie the score with 1:28 left. Liberty capitalized on yet another turnover, and Coles slipped inside the taller Devils for a layup that gave Liberty a 58-56 lead, but Gate City answered with a quick charge and layin by Haynes.
Liberty held for a last shot and almost made it, but it had to settle for overtime. The Minutemen (24-0) won the overtime period 7-3 and advanced to Friday night's semifinals against defending state champion Nansemond River at Liberty University's Vines Center.
``Nansemond River is incredible,'' Liberty coach Mark Hanks said. ``They probably have the No.1 team in the state. But the way this team played in the last couple of minutes of this game, regardless of what happens Friday, it has the heart of a champion.''
Gate City had handled the press and shot well the entire game, but in the last two minutes, that changed.
``We had the opportunity to win the game, but Liberty's guards are so experienced,'' Gate City coach Greg Ervin said. ``They've played game after game after game, and that was the difference tonight.''
Liberty's guards, Coles and Gregg Reynolds, have been starting for parts of four seasons. But rarely, if ever, have they been in a situation like this.
``I knew we'd have a chance if we kept playing hard on defense,'' Reynolds said.
Coles finished with 12 points, but it was a sophomore, Carson, who had the big game with 21 points.
``To play the way he did with a bad ankle,'' Hanks said. ``It's been hurting him, but I told him that he'd have all spring and summer to heal it. He had to suck it up tonight.''
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: STEPHANIE KLEIN-DAVIS/Staff. 1. Liberty guard Cheyneyby CNBPreston (front) chases a loose ball with Chad Beasley of Gate City.
2. Cheyney Preston of Liberty (with ball) looks for an open teammate
as Gate City defender Chad Beasley applies pressure on Monday at
Rustburg High School.