ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, October 23, 1996 TAG: 9610230075
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
Of the many virtues the Northside High School girls' basketball team displayed Tuesday night, its ability to separate the basketball from the Blacksburg players was the most obvious.
The Vikings forced 35 turnovers on the way to beating the Indians for the second time this year, this time 57-41, and maintaining a share of the Blue Ridge District lead.
Northside (15-2 overall, 10-1 in the district) has a stout task awaiting in the days ahead when it entertains William Byrd Thursday and visits Lord Botetourt, with whom Northside shares the league lead, Oct.29. Based on what the Vikings showed Tuesday, they ought to be able to take care of themselves quite nicely.
Northside made few mistakes and showed off the toughness and resiliency that has been its trademark all season. That, and its press was murder.
``We're not going to win ballgames if we don't handle the ball better than that,'' said Mickey McGuigan, the Blacksburg coach. ``Northside doesn't force the issue. It lets you make the mistakes. They move back up the court with you, then they attack.''
In the face of such incursions, the Indians essentially were defenseless. Otherwise, they put up a stout fight.
``At least we didn't have an overtime,'' said Marilyn Bussey, the Vikings' coach. ``The last three years we've played them we've had an overtime game. Last year we had two. It doesn't seem to matter how good either of the teams is, either.''
In the game at Blacksburg last year, Northside center Crystal Barrett fouled out. In the return engagement this year, Barrett stayed on the floor and scored a game-high 22 points to go with seven rebounds. She grinned sheepishly when reminded by Bussey of her misfortunes on the same floor a season ago.
``I don't really think about the past,'' Barrett said. ``I just go out and play my game.''
It is a game with which McGuigan and his girls have become uncomfortably familiar.
``She's been a tough one for us,'' he said.
Eight other Northside players scored. The only other double-figure scorer for the Vikings was Samantha Webb, who drilled a 3-pointer and made both of her free throws en route to 11 points.
Karly Geller scored 13 points for Blacksburg (5-13, 2-9). The trick was to get past the press in order for her to be able to have a chance at the basket.
``Now, it's more of a confidence issue than a physical issue for us with Northside's press,'' McGuigan said.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 57 linesby CNB