ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, October 9, 1996 TAG: 9610090064
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: SHAWSVILLE
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
Floyd County High's 56-45 girls' basketball victory over Shawsville was one of those games that will serve as a useful educational tool for both teams.
Being the victor, Floyd County derived appreciably more benefit from the experience than did the Shawnees.
``As I told the girls, this one is going to help us down the line,'' Buffaloes coach Alan Cantrell said.
It hasn't been all that often in recent years that the Buffaloes have been so much as challenged during regular season play, especially in the Three Rivers District. But in this one, the Shawnees were down only 52-44 when Staci Harless sliced in a 3-point goal with 57 seconds left.
Sonya Hylton sank three of four free throws for the Buffaloes in the next 20 seconds, Sara Conner added another foul shot with 24.8 seconds left and the Shawnees' comeback sputtered to a stop shortly before the clock did for the final time.
Still, it enabled Shawnees to salvage some dignity from a game in which they trailed by 20 points.
``For the first time since I've been at Shawsville, I think I saw a little fear in Floyd County's eyes,'' Shawsville coach Tracy Poff said.
Perhaps, but resourceful as always, the Buffs (13-1 overall, 3-0 in the district) found a way to win their ninth straight game.
Say this for the winners, they did so despite their free-throw shooting. Floyd County players made only 14 of 31 foul shots. Cantrell shook his head when advised of those totals.
``Sometimes the more you work on something, the harder it is to do right,'' he said.
Floyd County won in its usual style, putting the death grip on its opponent with furious pressing defense, running the floor, and rebounding. The Buffs clobbered the Shawnees on the boards, especially at the offensive end.
``Sometimes, they were just getting shot, after shot, after shot,'' Poff said. ``For the most part, we matched them in every department except offensive rebounding.''
Conner scored 16 points, Julie Sowers added 14 and Hylton chipped in nine for the Buffs, who despite some flaws, played brilliantly in stretches.
``Typical Floyd,'' Poff said. ``They come at you in spurts. We survived most of them.''
As for Shawsville (10-3, 2-1), a terrific game was had by Megan Forster, who had 26 points including 5-for-5 free-throw shooting and a fourth-quarter 3-pointer. Sarah Hagood added 13 points before fouling out.
Once Shawsville started closing in, Cantrell called a timeout.
``I told them they were playing in the trying not-to-lose mode and to play with a little more intensity,'' he said. ``It always seems like at this time of year, people really start coming after you.''
see microfilm for box score
LENGTH: Medium: 59 linesby CNB