ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, November 11, 1996 TAG: 9611120038
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: DALEVILLE
TYPE: GIRLS' BASKETBALL
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
Lord Botetourt girls' basketball coach David Wheat made no pretense about what might lie ahead for his defending Group AA championship team.
``I think the future to the state is through William Byrd,'' he said moments after his Cavaliers had turned back the Terriers 49-47 in overtime Saturday to win the Blue Ridge District tournament. ``I think we might meet again and I think Byrd is a better team than last year.''
Both teams head to the Region III tournament with Byrd squaring off against Dogwood District runner-up Tunstall on Tuesday and the Cavaliers, with a bye, playing in Thursday's semifinal round. The likelihood that these two teams will make their way into the Region III final and a fourth battle next Saturday night are good as both teams will be heavily favored to beat teams from either the Dogwood or Seminole districts in regional play.
Last year, Byrd and Botetourt met five times, the last battle coming in the Group AA title game that Botetourt won. The Cavaliers, in winning the Blue Ridge regular season and tournament titles, accomplished something they were unable to do a year ago. Now, they hope to repeat what they did last fall when they won the Region III and state crowns.
Botetourt's two key players, center Sarah Hicks and guard Sara Moore, combined for 34 points Saturday. They expect to have at least one more meeting with Byrd in their careers. It was Moore's pass to Hicks underneath for a layup with eight seconds left that snapped a tie in the tournament championship game to give the Cavaliers (23-1) their second victory in three meetings with Byrd (19-4) this season.
``I'm not getting tired of playing Byrd,'' said Moore. ``It makes me more competitive.''
``Sure, we'll definitely see them again,'' Hicks said. ``I don't look for them to be beaten anytime soon.''
Byrd coach Richard Thrasher isn't so sure. His team, even if it beats Tunstall, must get past Seminole District champion Jefferson Forest.
``We've got a tough road,'' said Thrasher, referring to Tunstall's win over perennial Piedmont power Martinsville in the regular season. ``Jefferson Forest won't be easy. We had a close game [at their place].''
Byrd beat Jefferson Forest 55-51 in Forest and 74-56 at home. Those games were early when the Terriers, who don't have a senior, were just getting used to each other.
Wheat's contention that Byrd is better than last year isn't that far-fetched. The Terriers had won eight straight and 10 of 11 games before Saturday. The only loss in that span was a two-point setback to the Cavaliers.
It was only natural that Botetourt should win the way it did, from Moore to Hicks, which has been this team's signature for two years. They were named co-players of the year in the district for the regular season.
``I saw Sarah breaking down the lane. I jumped up, but I wasn't sure if I would shoot or pass until I saw her,'' Moore said of her game-winning assist, the sixth of the night.
``I was just worried that when I got it, I wouldn't make the shot,'' said Hicks. ``I had to go up strong.''
Hicks nearly fouled out of the game in regulation. A whistle on a contact play underneath the basket sent Hicks to the bench - momentarily. The foul was called on teammate Kim Daugherty, who had pushed Byrd's Brandy Allen moments before Hicks' contact.
Allen missed both free throws and finished with five points for the night, well off her team-leading 14.5 scoring average.
``I don't know, if I had the answer ,'' Thrasher said in trying to explain how Botetourt shut down Allen, who got only three shots after intermission. ``I know we have to do a better job of getting the ball into the post to Brandy and [6-foot-2] Stephanie [Parnell].''
Lara Nester, Timesland's best 3-point shooter, hit twice from that range while freshman guards Dawn Chewning and Andrea Gay scored 20 points between them to lead Byrd. The Terriers hit 19-of-33 from the field, but missed seven key free throws.
Botetourt made only 18-of-44 from the field, but outrebounded Byrd 27-20 as Hicks came up with nine. Aimee Bird added nine points with timely outside shooting for the Cavaliers.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 81 linesby CNB