ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 7, 1996 TAG: 9612100025
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: DUBLIN
SOURCE: ANGIE WATTS STAFF WRITER
Amazing. That's how Pulaski County coach Pat Burns describes his team's 2-0 record. Not because the Cougars lack talent - they certainly don't. And not because his team lacks effort - they've had plenty of that too. What they haven't had is time.
Seven of the 11 players in the Cougars' lineup were members of the school's football team that advanced to the regional finals. The postseason football play kept the players on the field instead of on the court.
Despite having just eight practices under their belts, the Cougars marched to their second win of the year, 62-51, over the Blacksburg Indians on Friday.
``We've had a lot going against us,'' Burns said. ``We've just gotten all the football guys back so they are not in good [basketball] shape and there's not good execution. Plus our best player [Robert Rogers] hasn't even stepped on the court yet because he broke his collar bone Monday. So for us to be 2-0 is just amazing.''
In a slow first quarter, the teams combined to hit just 6 of 21 shots from the field. Blacksburg (1-2) didn't record its first field goal until seven minutes into the game when Randy Cross knocked down a short jumper.
``I haven't seen a first quarter like we played tonight,'' Blacksburg coach Bob Trear said. ``What I mean by that is I didn't see the teamwork I've seen in all the practices, scrimmages and the first two games of the year. The whole first quarter I think I saw one pass and I don't know why.''
Cougar guard Craig Hodge took over with Pulaski County leading the Indians 20-19 with 2:55 remaining in the half. The senior sank 3 of 4 from the foul line and added a jumper with 1:53 on the clock to give Pulaski County a six-point advantage. Dorian Hendricks converted a steal under the basket into an easy layup for a 27-19 lead at the half.
``We're having to think too much about what our offense and what our defenses are,'' Burns said. ``We need more time. But the one thing we have going for us is our hustle. We're playing hard, and that's been able to get us over the hump so far.''
In control through much of the second half, the Cougars extended their lead to 11 on a baseline 3-pointer from Chris Wright with 2:49 left in the third quarter.
But two minutes later there would be trouble for Pulaski County, specifically for Hendricks. The forward was whistled for his second technical foul for what the officials called ``animation'' - a non-verbal, but disrespectful dispute of a foul call.
After being called for his third personal foul, Hendricks turned and put his hands on his head.
Hendricks picked up his first technical seven minutes into the first quarter when he slapped the ball out of bounds after being called for a foul.
Burns pulled Hendricks for the remainder of the first quarter, but put him back in to start the second. Burns said the second technical was a miscall, and said he will issue an appeal before the Cougars matchup with E.C. Glass on Friday. If the appeal is not overturned, Hendricks will have to sit out that game.
Ronald Branch led the Cougars with 13 points with Hendricks, Hodge and Wright each adding 10.
Philip Klaus paced the Indians with a game-high 20 points.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 66 linesby CNB