Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 13, 1991 TAG: 9102130374
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: JOHN SMALLWOOD SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: COVINGTON LENGTH: Medium
But because it was "Senior Night" for nine players, and because of some extra incentive after their last victory against the Cavaliers was questioned by some, it was no wonder the Mountaineers were sky high.
Seniors John Stone and Jamie Bazzrea led six players in double-figure scoring as Alleghany remained a game behind Northside with a 96-81 thumping of Lord Botetourt.
The victory set up a showdown for the district lead Friday as Alleghany (12-6 overall, 5-1 district) travels to Northside, which is 5-0 in the Blue Ridge.
"We played very well for four quarters offensively," Alleghany coach Jimmy Smith said. "I never imagined that many points would be scored. We played at their tempo."
Leading by eight points at the half, the Mountaineers took advantage of their inside dominance to take control in the final two quarters.
Alleghany got 57 points from its inside players and outrebounded the Cavaliers 40-26, including 16 offensive rebounds.
"We had two of top rebounders [forwards Craig Layman and Jeff Crawford] sick with the flu and another [Jeff Cronise] with a sprained ankle," Lord Botetourt coach Don Meredith said. "We couldn't go against their big guys, and they pounded it inside all night.
"We got the back side of our laps spanked good. Alleghany just deserved the ball game. It wasn't exactly a good night to come to Low Moor."
When Alleghany beat Lord Botetourt 58-50 earlier this season, the Cavaliers (13-3, 2-3) played without Layman and Greg Harris, two of their top three scorers.
Smith didn't say that was a motivation for his team this time around, but posted in the Mountaineers' locker room was a newspaper account of the first meeting. Phrases like "Alleghany surprises Lord Botetourt" and "stunning upset" were underlined in red ink.
"The biggest thing was the first time, they were missing two of their kids," Smith said. "We didn't know how it was going to be this time with them in."
Smith said the key to the game was his team's ability to be effective offensively aginst Lord Botetourt's pressure defense.
The Mountaineers did commit 25 turnovers, 11 in the fourth quarter, but they also had 26 assists.
"They were spreading us," Smith said. "but we were able to handle the pressure and find our men inside. There was just that one stretch in the fourth quarter when we didn't handle it."
Jason Buzzard scored 16 for Alleghany, followed by Jimmy Bragg with 15, and Darren and Todd Wheatley with 12 each.
Bobby Prince scored a game-high 29 for Lord Botetourt (13-3, 2-3), but Derek Lloyd was the only other Cavalier in double figures with 14.
LORD BOTETOURT (81)
Crawford 3 1-4 8, Cronise 3 0-2 6, Prince 9 8-9 29, Layman 2 2-3 7, Harris 3 0-0 8, Lloyd 5 3-3 14, Dooley 0 1-2 1, Bramblett 2 0-0 5, Bonham 1 1-4 3. Totals 28 16-27 81. ALLEGHANY (96)
E. Wheatley 4 4-6 12, Buzzard 6 4-6 16, Hunter 2 0-0 4, T. Wheatley 6 0-0 12, Stone 5 2-2 17, Bazzrea 7 3-6 17, Bragg 5 2-3 15, Vail 0 3-5 3, Mason 0 0-1 0, Simmons 0 0-1 0. Totals 35 18-30 96. Lord Botetourt 16202223-81 Alleghany 18262824-96 Three-point goals: Lord Botetourt: Crawford, Prince 3, Layman, Harris 2, Lloyd, Bramblett. Alleghany: Stone 5, Bragg 3. Team Fouls: Lord Botetourt 24, Alleghany 18. Fouled out: Prince. JV: 52-45, Lord Botetourt.
by CNB