Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 7, 1993 TAG: 9303080243
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C9 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
BUFFALOES LOSE HAIR, CAPTURE REGION CROWN
Unlike the Biblical story of Samson and Delilah, when Floyd County's basketball players lost their hair, they didn't lose their strength.All but one player on the team got a crew cut at the one barbershop in Floyd on Saturday, the Buffaloes came out and beat Covington 59-56 for the Region C championship.
"Halfway through the season, we said if we make the state tournament, we'd all get flat tops," said Mike Hylton, who scored 24 points to lead Floyd (20-6) to its eighth straight victory. "Last night [the semifinal victory over Glenvar] gave us a berth in the state, so we went to the barbershop."
Even coach Alan Cantrell got a trim.
"I didn't get a flat top because the barber said if I got it cut any closer, my conehead would show," Cantrell said.
Only reserve Duane Nichols failed to get his hair cut.
"He didn't have a ride to the barbershop, but you can believe he's going to get one," Hylton said.
Both teams will play in the Group A state tournament. The first round will be at Marion next Saturday with Floyd County playing Hurley, and Covington battling Twin Springs. Times will be announced this week.
Covington (17-9) had a losing record early in the regular season when it faced Floyd County. The Cougars won that game on a last-second shot and carried Timesland's longest win streak - 10 games in a row - into Saturday's contest.
Hylton and 6-foot-6 center Jason Light were the main reason Floyd reversed two regular-season losses to Covington. Hylton hit six 3-point shots including two in the final period to ignite the offense.
"I just sort of got the touch and the ball went in," Hylton said. "It seemed like we could get a quick reversal and I was open."
Light sparked the defense. He had 14 rebounds and seven blocked shots to go with 16 points.
"Those two games we lost to them I had about three blocks each game," Hylton said. "Tonight I was doing better, so I just came out on defense. With Mike taking up on offense, I felt I could be more aggressive on defense."
Covington led 49-44 with 6:49 left behind a balanced attack that showed four double-figure scorers. Forward Chuck Morris ignited the Cougars with all 12 of his points in the second half.
Then Hylton got hot. The Buffaloes went on a 10-0 run. Hylton's first 3-point shot of the quarter tied the score at 49 and his next one gave Floyd a 54-49 lead.
"We just couldn't put the ball in the hole in the last quarter," Covington coach Brad Morton said. "Floyd County did a great job allowing us one shot and that one kid [Hylton] hit a couple of baskets to get them back in the game."
But Floyd couldn't relax until the final buzzer. The Buffaloes had a 59-52 lead with 2:36 left, but missed two one-and-one opportunities. Morris hit two free throws and a layup to make it a 3-point game and after Light missed a free throw with 12 seconds left, Covington's Van Wallace came up short on a 3-point attempt and Floyd claimed the title.
The Cougars made only 23-of-59 shots and lost the boards 37-27. They did come up with 10 steals with Keeno Jones and Corey Hunter each getting three. Floyd made 21-of-40 shots as the Buffaloes were patient on offense. \
see microfilm for box score