ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 2, 1997 TAG: 9702040037
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ANGIE WATTS STAFF WRITER
It wasn't easy and at times it was downright ugly, but Floyd County proved Saturday why it is the top-ranked Group A team in the state.
Overcoming a six-point halftime deficit and a multitude of fouls, the Buffaloes held off hard-charging Glenvar for a 79-76 Three Rivers District victory at Glenvar.
The unbeaten Buffaloes improved to 17-0 overall and 7-0 in the district.
"This was pretty much just what I expected," said Floyd County coach Alan Cantrell. "It was physical, emotional and very tough. We knew with only one loss in the district they were looking to tie up the race with a win. And they stepped their game up and played like it."
After falling behind by 13 points in the first quarter, Glenvar (7-10, 4-2) rallied for a 31-point second-quarter performance and a 43-37 halftime lead. Setting the tone for the Highlanders through that run was senior Josh Williamson, who accounted for 22 points in the period.
"He's carrying us right now inside," Glenvar coach Art Lawrence said.
Williamson single-handedly put Glenvar back in contention, going nine-of-10 from the field and a perfect 4-of-4 on free throws in the period. He finished with a game-high 36 points on 14-of-17 shooting.
"Josh did a great job one-on-one in the first half," Cantrell said. "Offensively he was the whole game there for a while, especially in the second quarter. They put their run on us with him. He finished off his shots and was excellent at the foul line."
But the difference in the game proved to be the second-half shooting of Floyd County senior Travis Cantrell. Benched in the second quarter after picking up three quick fouls, Cantrell sparked Floyd County in the fourth with two key 3-point goals.
The first of those came with 7:08 on the clock and the Buffaloes nursing a two-point lead. He added the second a minute later to extend Floyd's lead to 67-60 with six minutes to play.
Cantrell finished with 18 points before fouling out. Jason Dalton led the Buffaloes with 22 points and Derek Saunders added 16.
"I told them at halftime I wasn't going to say a word," Alan Cantrell said. "They were either going to get out there and play hard, play aggressive, or they were going to keep playing like they were and lose. I wanted them to play aggressive and move into our fast-paced game, and they did."
After extending its lead to nine on a baseline jumper from Dalton, Floyd County went cold. Glenvar junior Dannie Wimmer picked up back-to-back layups and Williamson completed a three-point play to close the gap to 71-69 with 2:57 remaining.
After trading buckets on both ends of the floor, Dalton sank two crucial free throws with to give the Buffaloes a 79-76 lead with 12 seconds left.
Two last-second 3-point attempts by the Highlanders rattled off the front of the rim.
"I think looking on the bright side if they are the No. 1 team in the state, we're not too far behind," said Lawrence. "We've played a really tough schedule and this game could have gone either way. We know if we keep our heads up we'll meet them in the finals of the district tournament. That's our goal now."
Wimmer and Chris Evans finished with 17 and 14 points, respectively, for the Highlanders.
"Going into this game we didn't want to look too far ahead," Cantrell said. "But a two-game lead in the district is a pretty good feeling."
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines KEYWORDS: BASKETBALLby CNB