ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 12, 1997 TAG: 9702120101
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
MEMO: NOTE: Slightly different version ran in New River Valley edition.
If it seems like no team wants to win the Blue Ridge District basketball title, that's the nature of the chase this winter.
William Byrd and Salem, tied atop the standings as the only teams with winning league records, have taken turns creating state-of-the-art comebacks that, put together, would make a fine video collection of hoop thrills.
In the latest example, Byrd survived Blacksburg's upset attempt when Mayo Wilson's 16-footer snapped the nets with four seconds left to give the Terriers a 54-52 victory Tuesday in Vinton.
Wilson's basket capped a late Byrd rally as the Terriers (14-5 overall, 11-2 district) will now travel to Alleghany in a regular-season finale Friday. Salem will also play a tough road game at Northside.
Wilson's shot came after a Blacksburg turnover. Josh Wheeler penetrated and tossed to Wilson, who came around a double pick to bury a wide open jumper.
``The play was set up to go inside,'' said Wilson, the Terriers' point guard.
He never looked inside. Wilson was willing to go for the winner and he didn't flinch. ``I'm a senior and Coach [Paul Barnard] expects me to shoot. Wheeler penetrated and I knew I had to knock the shot down.''
Wheeler's shot might not have been a winner had it not been for a 3-pointer by Jason Bailey that tied the score with 42 seconds left.
``Sometimes a team finds a way to win,'' said Barnard. ``Sometimes it gets help. Bailey hit a big 3-pointer. He's capable but he doesn't get many opportunities.''
For Blacksburg (7-11, 4-8), it was another disappointing night that leaves the Indians hoping things will be better in the district tournament.
``Most of our games have been exactly like this one,'' said Blacksburg coach Bob Trear. ``Even though some of them ended up six, eight points, they've been close except for maybe two games.''
Even after Wilson's shot, Blacksburg had a chance. Matt Maher threw long to Stefano Karmis. ''He had to come to the pass and fumbled it,'' said Trear.
Still, Karmis got the ball to Montreal Brown, whose long shot bounded off the rim. Originally, Karmis was supposed to pitch to Cross.
The game came down to a couple of key statistics. Klaus, one of Timesland's better free-throw shooters, was 1-of-8 from the line. Other than that, he hit 10 of 19 shots, grabbed seven rebounds and helped check Byrd's big center, Kevin Stump.
If Klaus couldn't buy a free throw, Byrd's Frank English couldn't miss. He nailed 10 in a row from the line, connected on 5-of-7 from the floor and tied Klaus for game-high honors with 21 points. English has picked up his scoring lately and it was the key for Byrd's survival.
``We tried to shut down Wilson and Stump,'' said Trear. ``English? You can't guard them all. Sometimes you try.''
Just after the half, Byrd appeared ready to take control against a team it had throttled by a fairly comfortable score in Blacksburg. Wilson hit a 3-pointer, English followed with a layup and Wheeler made two free throws as the Terriers pulled ahead 32-28.
It didn't last as Blacksburg stormed from behind behind Klaus, who had seven points in the quarter.
``Blacksburg outplayed us,'' said Barnard. ``They played much harder in the first half. They hustled and got all the loose balls.
``They played last night [Monday at Rockbridge County] and we didn't. But we were the team that was slow [tired].''
Both teams shot well, with the Indians hitting 23-of-47 while Byrd connected on 17-of-41. Stump collected 10 rebounds and 16 points, but the Indians won the battle of the boards 31-24.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: STEPHANIE KLEIN-DAVIS STAFF. 1. Philip Klaus (right) ofby CNBBlacksburg heads up the court ahead of William Byrd players Kevin
Stump (left) and Josh Wheeler (22). color. 2. Blacksburg's Stefano
Karmis looks to pass the ball as William Byrd's Frank English plays
defense.