ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 5, 1997 TAG: 9702050107
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
Coming off its biggest victory of the year, Patrick Henry figured to start slowly against Pulaski County.
So when the PH offense had totaled 45 points at halftime and the Patriots had only a six-point lead over Pulaski County, there was need for a higher gear. The Patriots did just that, getting 64 points in the last half on the way to an easy 109-70 Roanoke Valley District boys' basketball victory Tuesday at home.
``I told the kids this was a big game for one reason,'' said PH coach Jack Esworthy. ``You win a huge game like [we did] against William Fleming, it's tough to come back.
``We weren't real sharp the first half. They handled our full-court press and got some easy shots. But they're a good shooting team. I still thought we played our halfcourt defense well.''
PH scoring leader Boo Battle was getting points, but he had only four rebounds at the half. He wound up with a game-high 28 points and 10 rebounds.
Ronnie Kasey, second in RVD scoring to Battle, didn't have a point until the final two minutes of the half. He wound up with 18 points, seven assists and six steals. Freshman guard Mike Peery also had seven assists.
``I don't know what it was. I missed two layups and I got frustrated,'' said Kasey.
``It was real tough to get going,'' said Battle. ``I kind of play according to how he [Kasey] plays.''
The victory gives PH (13-4 overall, 5-1 in the RVD) a half-game lead in the district over idle William Fleming.
Dorian Hendricks paced the Cougars' effort, scoring 12 points in the first half. He and Justin Peek each wound up with 18 points.
Pulaski County coach Pat Burns pointed out that center Randy Grubb felt sick after the half and that Peek had been hit, thus slowing the two starters.
``That stretch [when they were slowed] hurt us. We were playing with them and had a good rotation of people. Then Patrick Henry took off and never looked back,'' said Burns.
The Patriots never trailed, scoring the first six points. Every time PH looked as if it would blow the game open in the first half, the Cougars (9-8, 2-4) would claw back into the contest. Kasey hit his first field goal with 1:19 left in the half, followed with a 3-point shot and then Battle got a stuff off an assist from his teammate to make it 43-32.
By the half, it was 45-39, though, as the Cougars finished strong with a couple of baskets from Peek and another from Hendricks.
After intermission, it was 47-43 with 6:22 left when the Patriots went on a 16-2 run to squelch any notions of an upset. Colby Leftwich had a couple of baskets during the surge on the way to a 21-point night.
PH made 47 of 84 shots and owned a 46-30 rebounding edge.
``They've got a very good club,'' Burns said. ``PH is PH. It doesn't make a difference if it's Dick Kepley, Woody Deans or Jack Esworthy coaching. Don't take anything away from their coaching, but they're going to have talent.'' NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: DON PETERSEN STAFF. Ronnie Kasey (20) of Patrick Henryby CNBpressures Justin Peek of Pulaski County during Tuesday's RVD game.
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