ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, January 5, 1997 TAG: 9701060120
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
THE COUGARS take round one in the series against their RVD rival with a 62-45 win. Still, there are more games to be played between these two.
You had to be looking right away to see how quickly the Pulaski County-Cave Spring girls' basketball showdown was over.
The Cougars scored the game's first five points, hit the Knights with a full-court press and walked away with a 62-45 Roanoke Valley District victory Saturday on the Cave Spring floor.
``That's the best game we've played,'' said Pulaski County guard Katrina Williams. ``Something about Cave Spring gets us fired up.''
Cougars coach Buddy Farris agreed. ``We came out ready to play, but then we can always get ready to play Cave Spring. Our defensive game did really well, but our offensive game also came through tonight.''
The victory gives Pulaski County (8-1 overall, 1-0 district) the early edge in the RVD race and a start to a series of games involving these teams that could lead to the Group AAA state tournament. It was the first loss for Cave Spring (6-1, 0-1).
The Cougars' pressure defense permitted Cave Spring to make only five of 20 shots in the first half while Pulaski County connected on 13-of-29 to build a 31-15 lead. The offense never let down as starting guards Williams (five) and Lisa Skeens (three) combined for eight assists and 28 points. Williams scored a game-high 15.
``It was ugly and we played ugly,'' said Cave Spring coach Linda Long. ``We won't beat many teams making just five field goals in the first half. We weren't finishing [the offense] in the paint and we weren't handling their pressure defense.
``Pulaski County came ready to play. Our kids didn't check in for four quarters. It's one thing to be excited to play someone, which we were. It's entirely different from being ready to play them.''
The Cougars forced 13 Cave Spring turnovers in the opening half and contested the ball every time the Knights came inside.
``We've used that press before, but never for an entire game. We tried to deny the inbounds pass. Then when it gets in, we try to trap,'' said Williams.
Cave Spring trailed 13-7 at the end of the first quarter and then got in a bigger hole as Pulaski County went on a 9-0 run to open the second quarter with Williams getting five points.
The Knights actually climbed back into contention early in the third quarter when Alyssa Redick led a 6-1 run as Cave Spring cut it to 40-31 on her layup. However, Pulaski County's Lindsay Reed scored at the end of the third quarter and the Cougars got the first eight points of the final quarter to take a 50-31 lead and put the Knights away.
For the game, Pulaski County hit 22 of 48 shots and outrebounded Cave Spring 35-30 as Sarah Donald pulled in eight rebounds.
The Knights shot better in the second half, but wound up making only 16-of-45 for the game.
Cave Spring had no double-figure scorer, but Lisa Bryan came off the bench for seven rebounds.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 62 linesby CNB