ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, January 4, 1997 TAG: 9701060107
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
Despite a losing record and playing inconsistent basketball, preseason Blue Ridge District favorite Salem is once again in charge.
After wasting two opportunities to put William Byrd away and nearly blowing a third one, the Spartans fended off the Terriers for a 61-59 double-overtime victory Friday on the Terriers' floor.
That result, coupled with Christiansburg beating Blacksburg, left the four teams tied atop the Blue Ridge District with 2-1 records. More importantly, Salem (3-5 overall) has played at Blacksburg and Byrd, meaning the Spartans have a slight edge in the remaining schedule.
``We've been struggling but this team never quit,'' said Salem coach Charlie Morgan. ``We talked about coming together as a team. Our team played hard, but we've been playing not to lose instead of playing to win.''
That didn't change Friday. In regulation, Andy Beach had two free throws with 2.4 seconds remaining and Salem down 50-49. Beach missed the first and hit the second one to bring up the first overtime.
In the first extra session, Salem held the ball for nearly two minutes to get a last shot. Sam Lazzaro sliced down the middle and got his layup blocked with less than two seconds left.
In the second overtime, Salem led 60-54 with 27.9 seconds remaining, thanks to Kwam Lewis, who made three of four free throws, and Herschel Thomas, who made one.
Byrd (5-4) didn't go peacefully. First Josh Wheeler canned a 3-point shot. After Mayo Wilson's steal, Frank English missed a 3-point try and Jason Bailey followed to make it 60-59 with Byrd calling time out 1.5 seconds before time expired.
Beach was fouled a second later. He missed the first shot, but made the second for a seemingly safe 61-59 lead. A length-of-the-court pass to Wheeler, who launched a 15-footer, nearly kept the game going as it rolled across the basket as time ran out.
``My heart just stopped. I thought it was another overtime,'' said Lewis.
It was the effort of Lewis, who was in the unusual position of playing from the bench, that saved Salem. Byrd owned a 42-27 rebounding edge for the game, but in the two overtimes, it was the Spartans getting nine of 17 rebounds with six going to Lewis.
``There was a little pressure on the free throws,'' agreed Lewis, who made only one of three in regulation. ``I just concentrated on the rim and put them through the net. I was concentrating like I was in the gym by myself.''
Byrd's 6-foot-5 Kevin Stump and Wilson did all they could to put the Terriers atop the standings all alone. Wilson had a game-high 21 points, though he missed five shots in the two overtimes. Stump followed with 20 points and 14 rebounds, and had two of the Terriers' five blocked shots.
``Too many turnovers by us [26] and Salem had 32 free throws to 15 for us hurt,'' said Byrd coach Paul Barnard. ``Both teams played well, but Salem made some big plays [late].''
The Spartans caused several turnovers with a full-court press that a couple of times got a five-second call and on a third occasion forced the Terriers to take a timeout to keep from losing the basketball.
Wilson's jumper from the side to start the final quarter gave Byrd a 40-39 lead, its first since the Terriers led 21-16 in the second quarter. That lead evaporated when Salem scored eight consecutive points.
In the final quarter, there were six lead changes and a couple of ties. While Stump and Wilson got little in the way of consistent scoring support, English came off the bench and had four assists. He had been sick and for that reason didn't start as he usually does.
Lazzaro had six assists for Salem while his running mate at guard, Thomas, managed 11 points. However, Thomas got only one field goal after intermission.
``Our goal was to hold Herschel under 15,'' said Barnard, whose club was burned for 24 points by the junior guard last week as Salem took a 66-56 victory in the NationsBank Holiday Hoops Classic.
``We're starting to play [better],'' said Morgan. ``We're out to make a little stretch run before exams [in two weeks] and get a little momentum.''
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ALAN KIM STAFF. Kevin Stump (left) of William Byrdby CNBknocks the ball away from Salem's Kwam Lewis during action in the
second overtime Friday. Lewis was fouled and made two free throws.