ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Sunday, March 2, 1997                  TAG: 9703040015
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: C-3  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT

MARTINSVILLE LOSES TITLE GAME

Chris Peters scored 22 points to lead four Blue Devils in double figures as Gate City hit its free throws to win the Region IV championship 67-58 Saturday in Martinsville.

The Blue Devils (22-4) advance to the Group AA quarterfinals where they will play Salem. The Bulldogs (16-8) will face Liberty in state quaterfinal play.

Josh Shuemaker scored 14 points, while Chad Beasley had 11 and Richard Howell 10 for the Blue Devils, who connected on 25 of 33 free throws.

Martinsville, which trimmed a 37-25 halftime deficit to 44-40 early in the fourth period, struggled from the line. The Bulldogs hit just 10 of 18 free throws. Leander Preston led Martinsville with 15 points and David Walker added 14. NOTE: please see microfilm for scores.

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