ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, November 20, 1996 TAG: 9611200075
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: FLOYD
SOURCE: ANGIE WATTS STAFF WRITER
The Floyd County girls' basketball team has made a name for itself by advancing to the Group A semifinals the past four years. But all the lore and the cheering from the standing-room only crowd Tuesday couldn't help the Buffaloes make it five straight.
Floyd County succumbed 87-78 to Honaker, a team it demolished in the state quarterfinals a year ago in the same gym. It was all about confidence for the Tigers, who came out hot, hitting nine of 11 shots in the first quarter. The Buffaloes shot 5-of-20 through the opening eight minutes.
"This is a very hard place to play," Honaker coach Gordon Johnson said. "Last year the girls just kept talking about `If the quarterfinals were only played at a neutral site.' But once they started hitting their shots they seemed to be able to block out the noise. They showed an awful lot of heart tonight."
Trailing 16-10 with seconds remaining in the first quarter, Floyd County junior Julie Sowers heaved in a shot from near midcourt as the buzzer sounded. The Buffaloes rode that momentum through most of the second quarter and took their first lead, 26-25, on a baseline jumper by Jill Quesenberry with 3:30 left in the half.
Just when it appeared Floyd County would take control, Honaker's Kristen Jessee drove the lane for an easy basket and added two free throws seconds later to cut the deficit to 34-33. The two teams then exchanged baskets for a 36-35 Floyd County lead at the break.
"It seemed like every time we made a run or two they would stop us and then come up with a run of their own," Floyd County coach Alan Cantrell said. "Of course we didn't shoot as well as we would have liked, but you have to give Honaker credit. They came in with a great game plan and attacked our press."
Tigers point guard Misty Davis set the tempo for Honaker in the third quarter, driving the lane for the opening second-half basket. Davis finished with 24 points.
"Misty and our other guard [Crystal Goodman] are both seniors and before the game they told the rest of they team `Don't let us down,'" Johnson said.
The Tigers responded, going on an 11-2 run capped by a Jessee layup with 1:47 left in the third for their biggest lead of the game, 56-47. Jessee finished with a game-high 30 points on nine of 13 shooting from the field.
The Buffaloes closed the gap to 65-63 with 5:50 to play, but would get no closer.
"When you're in the state playoffs you're going to play great teams and you've got to step it up," Cantrell said. "It's tough for a team like us to come out and play as hard every night as we do and not have a letdown. But the girls gave a great effort out there tonight. I have no complaints."
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 56 linesby CNB