ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, November 17, 1996 TAG: 9611190009
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-14 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: ANGIE WATTS STAFF WRITER
Floyd County downs Northwood 74-53 to win the Region C title and a trip to the Group A playoffs.
The Floyd County girl's basketball team raised their Group A Region C Championship trophy high above their heads. They celebrated with congratulatory hugs and high-fives all around and raised a finger signifying that - at least on this night - they were number one. Then the group of 14 turned and headed toward the one thing that has remained constant in their storied history of championships, the fans.
"Playing here is like our second home," said Floyd County coach Alan Cantrell of the neutral Christiansburg gym. "We have the greatest following in the state when it comes to our girls basketball program and the girls respond to that. Our fans expected us to play hard and we just got with it."
The Buffaloes fought off early-game jitters for a sound 74-53 victory over the Northwood Panthers of the Hogoheegee District for the regional crown. Although both teams will advance to the state tournament that begins next week, the advantage to winning the regional final was a home date in the opening round of state competition.
"We wanted to do it for the seniors," said junior Amy Vest, who came off the bench to lead Floyd County with 20 points," they really wanted to go back home. And we did it for the fans too. They always come out and give us their all so we wanted to give them our all too."
Fighting off a case of butterflies, both teams looked sloppy early. The ball exchanged possessions 12 times before the first field goal of the night was sunk. It was a long three-pointer from the left of the key, the first of three treys on the night for Floyd County junior Julie Sowers. And it was a sign of things to come.
Leading the Panthers 28-22 at the half, Northwood came out charging after the break. Closing the gap to four on a short jumper by junior forward Jill Woodward, the Buffaloes began to answer the call.
First it was Sowers, who drained another three-pointer, this time just to the right of center, for a 31-24 advantage. And just when the Panthers thought they had finally hit full stride, pulling within three with 3:41 left in the third quarter, Floyd County found another answer. It was Vest who stepped up and hit a three from the left side for a 38-32 lead.
The Panthers would never threaten again.
"Julie hit a big one and they it was Amy's turn to hit a big bucket," Cantrell said. "Different people stepped up for us all night and I think that was key. I had told them just before the game everybody comes tonight and contributes. And they did."
Floyd County went on a 23-9 run through the opening seven minutes of the fourth quarter to put Northwood securely away. Extending their lead to 20 on a jumper by senior Sara Conner with 3:48 showing on the clock, all that was left was the fouling.
And it wasn't nearly enough. The Buffaloes hit 17-of-23 attempts from the line, including going nine-for-12 through the closing two minutes of play.
But the key for Floyd County was its free-throw shooting but its turnovers. Makes that the turnovers it created. The tenacious defensive effort of the Buffaloes forced 26 Northwood turnovers. In comparison, the Buffaloes committed just 15.
"I think part of it was our tempo," Cantrell said. "Everyone comes in playing aggressive against us and I'd rather us start off a little slow and pick it up the way we did at the end. I think [Northwood] plays that fast paced style too, but we were very aggressive on defense and were fortunate enough not only to cause a few turnovers but to convert some of them to baskets to keep the momentum going our way."
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 71 linesby CNB