ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 19, 1997 TAG: 9702190093
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRIS LANG STAFF WRITER
After defeating William Byrd to lay claim to the Blue Ridge District regular-season title, Salem had little motivation going into Tuesday night's game with last-place Christiansburg in a district tournament quarterfinal.
But motivated or not, the Spartans showed why they are the class of the district, overcoming a slow start to send the Blue Demons packing 68-55 at Salem High School.
The Spartans advance to a semifinal tonight at the Salem Civic Center against Northside, which ousted Alleghany 74-66 in overtime Tuesday in another quarterfinal.
``We were a bit flat coming off the playoff game ... ,'' said Charlie Morgan, Salem's coach. ``But you can talk to the kids all you want about motivation, but we've still got to go out and play. I was very concerned coming into the game.''
Morgan's concern was justified. After the Spartans had gone in front 12-4 on a John Hancock field goal, the Demons - as they did for most of the first half - fought right back.
Center Mike Kazee, who scored all of Christiansburg's first-quarter points, cut the Salem lead to 12-9 with a short jumper with 1:53 remaining in the period. Christiansburg would tie the score with 5:59 left in the second quarter after Salem forward Eric Grinnell fouled Kazee and the 6-foot 6-inch center's jumper fell. Kazee hit the free throw and the score was 14-14.
But Kazee got into foul trouble, picking up three in the first half, which severely limited his playing time and scoring. Still, he finished with a game-high 20 points.
Salem appeared ready to run away with things with 3:05 left in the second quarter. Guard Herschel Thomas stole the ball from the Demons' Andy Phillips and drove to the hole to put the Spartans up 25-16, but Christiansburg fought back again.
A 3-pointer by Demons guard Eric Lucas with 12 seconds left in the half cut Salem's lead to six, at 29-23, going into the break.
Morgan must have said something in the locker room to juice up his team, because the Spartans came out with defensive intensity to start the second half.
``We went more to our pressing defense,'' Morgan said. ``We just had to take our stand down there and force turnovers, and that was the difference.''
The Demons turned over the ball twice early in the third quarter against a fierce Spartans press, and a 3-pointer from Marshall Wooldridge pushed the Salem lead to 36-25 early in the second half. The Spartans would lead by as many as 20 points on a 3-pointer from Andy Beach that made it 59-39 early in the fourth quarter.
``That's the luxury of having guys that can shoot the ball,'' Thompson said. ``They've got three legitimate shooters [Beach, Wooldridge and Thomas], and we can't get on all three at once.''
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines KEYWORDS: BASKETBALLby CNB