ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 18, 1997 TAG: 9702180130
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
TYPE: HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
SOURCE: FROM STAFF REPORTS
Leander Preston scored 23 points and Danny Wade delivered four of his six points in overtime as Martinsville defeated Magna Vista 73-65 on Monday night, winning a playoff game for the Piedmont District boys' regular-season title at Bassett High School.
Jason Wells had 15 points and Manti Venable added 12 for Martinsville, which will play the winner of the Bassett-Laurel Park first-round matchup in a semifinal of the Piedmont tournament. The Bulldogs earned an automatic berth in the Region IV tournament.
Magna Vista forced overtime when Landa Martin hit a 3-pointer in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter. Martin finished with 22 points and Travis Preston added 19 for the Warriors, who face the winner of the first-round game between Fieldale-Collinsville and Patrick County.
Bath County 71, Covington 68, OT: Eric Neilsen's basket with 45 seconds left in overtime gave the Chargers the victory in Hot Springs and the second seed in this week's Pioneer District tournament.
Adam Grist led Bath County (12-8 overall, 6-4 district) with 35 points, hitting 10 of 16 shots from the floor and 13 of 14 from the line. Neilsen added 12 points.
Erwin Twitty and William Stewart scored 19 points apiece to lead the Cougars (8-11, 5-5).
Covington, the fifth seed, travels to play James River in a first-round district tournament game Wednesday. Bath County gets a first-round bye.
Holston 78, Rural Retreat 57: The Rams built a 24-point halftime lead and cruised past the Indians in a Hogoheegee District game in Rural Retreat.
Wayne Terry scored 19 points and Andrew Holliman had 13 for the Indians.
Carlisle 62, Lynchburg Christian 53: Brandon Page and Lamont Franklin had 18 points each to lead the Chiefs to a Virginia Independent Conference victory in Martinsville.
Chad Martin added 14 points for Carlisle (11-7, 9-4). Lynchburg Christian got 14 points from Andrew Pantana.
Grundy 64, Carroll County 55: Dathon Vanover scored 22 points and Mike Elswick added 20, and the Golden Wave hit its free throws in the fourth quarter to hold off the Cavaliers in a Southwest District game in Hillsville. Elswick was 8-of-12 and Vanover 4-of-4 as Grundy went 15-for-22 in the final period to seal the victory.
Jeremy Ogle led Carroll County with 25 points.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 56 linesby CNB