ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, October 30, 1996 TAG: 9610300076
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: SHAWSVILLE
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
MEMO: NOTE: Shorter version ran in Metro edition.
THE HIGHLANDERS stay on the defensive in a 54-33 Three Rivers District victory.
As the wild goose flies, Glenvar and Shawsville high schools are as close to each other geographically as any schools in the Three Rivers District. Only a short stretch of U.S. 460 separates the two.
When it comes to girls' basketball, the gap is considerably larger. Bad news for the Shawnees: It's not getting any closer, either.
Glenvar sliced and diced the host Shawnees 54-33 on Tuesday night, winning its ninth consecutive game and bringing an expected regular season playoff with Floyd County ever closer.
Should Glenvar (15-4 overall, 8-1 district) beat Giles and Floyd County defeat Radford to close the regular season this week, a 7 p.m. Monday playoff is scheduled at Auburn High School.
Don't bet against the Highlanders in their bid to qualify for the one-game shootout. Glenvar put a defensive sleeper hold on the Shawnees (14-6, 6-4), limiting them to single digits in every quarter save the fourth, when the game was totally out of hand. Glenvar yielded only 10 field goals.
Tuesday's rout and a 66-37 hammering by Glenvar this month could have been the two lowest points of the campaign for Shawsville.
``I think Glenvar has our number,'' said Tracy Poff, the Shawnees' coach.
The important numbers from the Glenvar standpoint came in the first quarter. That's when Erika Hale scored seven of her game-high 13 points as the Highlanders were high-stepping their way to a 15-5 lead. Glenvar let up a little in the second quarter, but then poured it on in earnest in the second half, outscoring the Shawnees 30-22.
``We do play good, basic, fundamental defense,'' said Dennis Layman, Glenvar's coach. ``We try not to leave anybody open for any real easy stuff.''
Nothing comes easily against the Highlanders.
``We'll make you work hard for your points,'' Layman said. ``As you look across [the team's scores], I think a lot of teams got their low point totals for the year against us.''
Amanda Rydell, Glenvar's center, chipped in 11 points. Seven other Highlanders scored. As for Shawsville, sophomore Megan Forester, the second-leading scorer in Timesland with a 23.8 points per game average, was limited to 12 points, the second time in as many games the Highlanders' defense has shut her down.
``If you bring five girls back from a team that almost beats Floyd County in regionals last year, with all that experience, you have to play pretty well to beat a team like that,'' Poff said.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 57 linesby CNB