ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, October 16, 1996 TAG: 9610160033
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
Add Alleghany to the list of tough Blue Ridge District girls' basketball teams as the visiting Mountaineers gave district co-leader Northside all it could handle Tuesday night before falling 43-38.
Alleghany started with two main players, Nikki Brown and Jessica Hayslett, on the bench because they missed practice. Coach Danny Keene never considered letting them play, even when his Mountaineers (10-5 overall, 5-4 district) were on the verge of an upset.
Alleghany grabbed its last lead at 37-36 when Natasha Chapman, who had a game-high 17 points, hit a layup with 1:48 left.
Kristina McMillian answered 12 seconds later with a 12-footer that gave Northside (13-2, 8-1) the lead for good.
Northside's pressure defense forced turnovers that led to two free throws by Samantha Webb and one by McMillian that gave the Vikings a 41-37 lead.
Alleghany had one last shot. Katie Craft drew a foul with 5.3 seconds left, hit one free throw, then tried to slam the ball off the backboard for a rebound and a potential tying shot. The only problem was she missed the rim, giving the Vikings the ball on the violation.
``I wanted to do that and if we got the rebound, go to Natasha for a 3,'' Keene said. ``We were tired and we had to go for broke.''
After the miss, McMillian was fouled again. She hit a pair of free throws with 2.1 seconds left as Northside remained tied with Lord Botetourt atop the district standings with five games remaining.
Nevertheless, Alleghany had gained respect.
``I know the potential we have. We can beat anyone I've seen in [Group] AA basketball. On the other hand, we can lose to anyone,'' Keene said. ``Look at the inside shots we missed early. But I'm not afraid to take this team into battle with anyone.''
The Mounties were hurt by missing 13 of 20 free-throw attempts.
``We said we have to shoot 70 percent from the line or we don't have a chance,'' Keene said.
Crystal Barrett added 14 points for Northside. Webb pulled down nine rebounds, and sophomore guard Amber Kern, with six points and some good defense in the final quarter, sparked the Vikings late. Still, coach Marilyn Bussey was concerned with the way her team has played lately.
``Alleghany came with a game plan and they executed it. Defense has been the strongest part of our game, but we're not executing it as well as we did early in the season,'' said Bussey, whose team has lost only to Lord Botetourt and Floyd County.
Alleghany's performance didn't surprise Bussey. The Mounties are in good position to finish among the top four in the league and gain the home-court advantage for a first-round game in November's district tournament.
``I don't think we're taking them too lightly,'' Bussey said. ``At their place, we played a real good game and beat them [by 14]. That's a tough place to play. But the last three games we've played, we just haven't executed.''
Alleghany only had five assists. Kern topped that with seven and the Vikings had 13 overall. Both teams shot poorly, with Alleghany going 13-for-48, including 5-of-19 from 3-point range. Northside was 15-of-44 overall and 2-of-7 on 3-point attempts. The Mounties held a 40-38 rebounding edge.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: NHAT MEYER/Staff. Northside's Amy Heath looks to passby CNBthe ball as Alleghany's Jessica Bright (right) battles her for the
basketball during the third quarter of their game Tuesday night at
the Vikings' gym.