Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 16, 1993 TAG: 9301160193
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CHRIS STEUART STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
BLACKSBURG BOMBS BOBCATS 76-61
Blacksburg's Greg Shockley made only four shots in a New River District boys' basketball opener against Radford on Friday night.But all were timely 3-point bombs that helped the Indians, who got solid play off the bench, hammer the Bobcats 76-61.
Shockley hit three of his treys in the first quarter as the Indians bolted to a 21-10 lead with 1:43 remaining in the period.
"It was just one of those nights that the basket looked very big," Shockley said.
Another key for Blacksburg was a 14-point first half from junior Jay Safford, who finished the game with 20 points.
Blacksburg led 37-29 at halftime.
The Indians bench answered the call in the second half after 6-4 junior Ben Araman became Blacksburg's third player to pick up a fourth foul with nearly four minutes to play in the third period.
"The bench came through for us tonight," said Araman, who led all scorers with 22 points. "I knew we had a good team and that we could play with anybody in this district."
Radford (3-9 overall, 0-1 district) stayed close for most of the game and cut its deficit to 48-42 near the end of the third quarter.
But Blacksburg (3-9, 1-0) responded with a spurt to keep Radford at arm's length and push its lead to 56-45.
Radford's Chris Hairston sank a layup with four seconds left in the third quarter. Then Shockley ran down the right side and let fly from beyond the 3-point arc with Hairston all over him. That basket effectively hushed the Bobcats, making the score 59-45.
"They just played a tremendous ball game," Radford coach Brenda King said. "Each gave an outstanding individual performance and that led to a great team effort.
"We had the desire, but we didn't have the production. We just couldn't finish plays off."
Blacksburg reserves - mainly Jay Strager, Todd Purdue and Ishmail Ross - held things together in the late stages.
Hairston led Radford with 19 points and Casey Underwood had 13. \
see microfilm for box score