ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 12, 1997 TAG: 9702120103
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: DUBLIN
SOURCE: ANGIE WATTS STAFF WRITER
William Fleming spoiled senior night at Pulaski County, holding off a fourth-quarter run for a 55-44 victory over the Cougars in a lackluster performance by both schools Tuesday night.
"I didn't think we played William Fleming basketball tonight," coach Roland Lovelace said after watching the Colonels improve to 13-5 overall and 6-1 in the Roanoke Valley District. "We didn't have too much defensive intensity, and it seemed at times like we were just walking through the motions."
Trailing by 16 early in the third quarter, the Cougars (10-9, 2-5) went on a 10-3 run to cut the Colonels' lead to 45-36. Pulaski County closed the gap to 47-40 on four successful free throws by Chris Wright with 6:05 remaining, but would get no closer.
"I think the game was winnable for us, I just don't know if our kids knew that," said Pulaski County coach Pat Burns. "After we cut the lead to seven, we missed two layups and then threw the ball away and I don't know if that took the wind out of our sails or what.
"I just know when I looked into our kids' eyes at timeouts and quarter breaks I didn't see that they thought we were going to win the ballgame ... and you have to believe. If we had believed, we could have won that game tonight."
William Fleming extended its lead to 53-40 on back-to-back layups from William Hankins and Charles Burnette with 3:06 to play and cruised to the 11-point victory.
Burnette led all scorers with a game-high 19 points. Jaron Walker and Hankins came off the bench to add 14 and eight, respectively.
"We got a lot of help from our bench tonight, and Burnette helped carry us a lot of the way too," Lovelace said. "I just didn't think we played as consistently tonight as we have the whole year. That's what concerned me."
Guards Dorian Hendricks and Justin Peek paced the Cougars with 10 points each. Senior Ronald Branch, honored before the game as the team's only departing senior, finished with seven.
"I would have liked to have seen some more [intensity] at the end of the game," Burns said. "But I guess you've got some fire if you play William Fleming as close as we did. I saw people on the floor, I saw people rebounding the ball I didn't see much difference tonight in our effort than the rest of the year. I just don't know if our kids realized we had a chance to win the game."
With both teams off to a slow start offensively, William Fleming held a mere 11-9 lead at the end of one quarter. The Colonels then broke open the game in the second period, outscoring the Cougars 25-17.
That's when Walker did most of his damage. The forward took advantage of the Cougars' smaller lineup for 10 second-quarter points, including three easy layups and two short jumpers in the lane.
Pulaski County hits the road to battle Franklin County on Friday, and William Fleming takes its 6-1 district record to Cave Spring.
"They have to get themselves together this week and pick up the intensity," Lovelace said. "But I have a feeling we'll rise to the occasion Friday."
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 62 linesby CNB