ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, February 15, 1997 TAG: 9702180024
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
It might have been the final game at the old Northside gym, and like so many others the Vikings have played this season, it was not one to remember.
Salem, looking to regain the magic it had last season, throttled Northside 76-53 on Friday to lock up at least a tie for the Blue Ridge District regular-season title.
Whether the Spartans share the championship with William Byrd or have a playoff Monday at Lord Botetourt High School won't be determined until the Terriers play at Alleghany tonight.
Northside's band-box gym, which will give way to a new facility next year, may be the venue for a first-round Blue Ridge tournament game Tuesday. The Vikings, despite a dismal season, will do no worse than tie for fourth place in the district. A coin flip or the district's tie-breakers could give Northside a tournament game at home.
Salem (14-7 overall, 12-2 in the district) had only beaten the Vikings by four points at home in January. The Spartans went to work Friday with an array of outside shots and inside moves to put away Northside early.
Salem's second quarter was a work of art. The Spartans hit their first eight shots from the field. Eric Grinnell and Kwam Lewis dominated inside, and Andy Beach slashed his way around the perimeter.
``From top to bottom, it was our best game,'' said Charlie Morgan, Salem's coach. ``Kwam has come on the last six games. He and Eric complement each other. When we have good post play, it takes the heat off the perimeter.''
Salem hit 28 of 51 shots from the field, and Morgan showed mercy to the Spartans' biggest Blue Ridge rival by running in the reserves with more than four minutes left and his team up 72-39.
For Northside (6-15, 6-8), it was another blowout in an inconsistent season for the Vikings.
``Salem played very well. Salem shot the ball well, and, of course, when you shoot the ball well you're up big,'' said Billy Pope, Northside's coach. ``But Salem passed well and hit the open man.''
That hasn't always been the case this season for a veteran Spartans team that has struggled at times. There was no struggle Friday as Grinnell hit nine of 10 shots in his best game of the season, scoring 12 of his game-high 21 points in the first half.
``The other teams think they have to guard our guards' 3-point shots and that opens it up for the inside game,'' Grinnell said. ``Then all we have to do is throw it in the hole.
``We played a lot better and this felt like last year. We were out there having fun. We've been having fun the past couple of games.''
That's bad news for the teams that must take on Salem in the next few weeks.
Spartan guards Sam Lazzaro and Herschel Thomas had six assists each. They were content to hit the open man. Thomas, last season's scoring leader, took only five shots.
Lewis grabbed 10 rebounds and had four steals. For the night, the Spartans had 12 thefts.
``I think we've got a good chance for a home game'' in the district tournament, Pope said. ``Of course, no one wants this [for a final game]. Our kids will just get ready for the first round.''
To win in the district tournament, the Vikings must improve on 20-of-59 shooting from the field. Dwone Steele was Northside's only double-figure scorer, with 12 points. Seven of those came in the final quarter, after the game was out of reach.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines KEYWORDS: BASKETBALLby CNB