ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, December 4, 1996 TAG: 9612040041
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
SOURCE: FROM STAFF REPORTS
Dorian Hendricks rallied Pulaski County in the fourth period as the Cougars forced overtime and overcame upset-minded Roanoke Catholic 73-68 on Tuesday night on the Celtics' floor.
Hendricks scored 14 of his 28 points in the final period and overtime. The Cougars trailed 49-35 after three quarters, but outscoried Catholic 25-11 in the fourth and missed a shot for a victory at the end of regulation.
The Celtics finally succumbed to Pulaski County's defensive pressure in the fourth and missed four free throws - including the front end of two one-and-ones - in the last four minutes of regulation.
The Cougars' comeback overshadowed a 33-point performance by Catholic's Brendan McCarthy, who made seven of nine 3-point field-goal attempts.
Ronald Branch scored 16 for the Cougars and Justin Peek had 11.
Terron Reed scored 14 points for the Celtics and Chad Wall had 10.
Patrick Henry 68, Amherst County 36: The Patriots began the post-Woody Deans era by winning coach Jack Esworthy's debut at Amherst.
Ronnie Casey and Boo Battle scored 18 points for Patrick Henry, which played under a new coach for the first time since Deans took over in 1983.
Malik Shareef scored 11 and Colby Leftwich added 10.
Joe McDowell led Amherst (0-1) with 11 points.
Roanoke Valley Christian 60, James River 58: Mark Delong had 21 points and Chris Huffman added 14 as the Eagles rallied for a non-district victory in Buchanan.
Roanoke Valley Christian (1-1) won the fourth quarter 22-11.
James River (0-1) got 14 points each from Will Goad and Philip Meador.
Covington Boys' Home 76, Craig County 62: Mike White and Chris Hampton combined for 45 points to lead the Indians to a season-opening victory over the Rockets in New Castle.
Dwayne Crawford's 19 points paced Craig County (0-1).
North Cross 60, Lynchburg Christian 44: Jeff Baetz scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as North Cross opened its season with a Virginia Independent Conference victory over the visiting Bulldogs.
Michael Stoeckle added 15 points and six assists for the Raiders. Brandon LaCroix had 13 points.
Girls
Patrick Henry 46, Amherst County 44: Sarah Wonson's jump shot with a minute to play gave the Patriots the lead for good, as PH posted back-to-back victories for the first time since 1990.
The win also allowed the Patriots to surpass their victories total of the past five seasons combined. Patrick Henry won once last season to break a four-year losing streak, but the Patriots are 2-0.
The Patriots trailed 44-43 before Wonson scored. Amherst misfired and Troyleena Hale knocked down one of two free throws with 30 seconds left to account for the final margin.
Keeda Hale led the Patriots with 13 points and made three 3-pointers.
Jackie Snead led Amherst County with 14 points.
Holy Cross 51, Roanoke Valley Christian 45: Marie Gamis converted a 3-point play with a little less than two minutes to play as the Gaels (2-0, 2-0) snapped a tie and held on to win a Blue Ridge Conference game in Lynchburg.
Gamis scored 10 of her game-high 24 points in the fourth quarter.
Gina Guthrie scored 12 points for Roanoke Valley Christian (0-1, 0-1) and Rebecca Bryant added 11.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 71 linesby CNB