Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 16, 1993 TAG: 9301160278
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRIS BACHELDER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
NORTHSIDE HOLDS OFF TERRIERS 66-60
After three quarters and a dozen lead changes, Friday night's Blue Ridge District battle between Northside and William Byrd was no closer to resolution than at tip-off.Northside's Walt Derey hit a layup with two seconds remaining in the quarter to force a 45-45 tie, the eighth deadlock of the game.
Then experience rose to the top.
The seasoned group of Vikings finally shook William Byrd for a 66-60 win in Northside's jam-packed gym.
"It was a tough game and we played well, especially in the second half," said Vikings coach Billy Pope. "William Byrd is a very good team. They don't get a lot of news or publicity, but they were not a surprise by any stretch of the imagination.
"We expected a tough game and we got it."
Derey and Jimmy Porter carried the Vikings and dominated the paint for more than a quarter. In a remarkable span of 11 minutes, 41 seconds - from late second quarter to early fourth - the two players combined for 20 points, almost all on layups or inside moves.
Derey and Porter each scored 10 points and no other Viking scored in that stretch.
"We were just working the ball in and it happened to be us who were getting open," said Derey, who finished with 14 points.
Porter, who led the team with 17 points, said, "Our guards were making the right passes and reads to get it inside. All we had to do was put it in."
Derey scored the last six points of the third quarter to tie the score at 41, 43 and 45. Byrd's Bobby Milliron, who finished with a game-high 18, had two long jumpers and eight points in the quarter to keep his team in business.
Derey and Porter ended their impressive run with one basket each to start the fourth quarter and give the Vikings a 49-45 edge. Nathan Hungate followed with a 3-pointer to put Northside on top by seven, and the Terriers never got closer than four thereafter.
Hungate finished with 14 points and fiery backcourt mate Kelly Dampeer added 13. The two combined to score 13 of the Vikings' 21 fourth-quarter points.
"Derey and Porter are two of our veteran guys," Pope said. "They've been through it. We expect them to rise and they sure did.
"And Kelly made some awesome plays, which only he can make."
There were five ties and 12 lead changes in the first half alone. Milliron's layup with 1:04 left in the half gave Byrd a 32-29 lead.
But Derey hit a short jumper and Porter scored a layup and two free throws in a 6-0, 48-second run to give Northside a 35-32 halftime edge.
"The game and the atmosphere were good for the Blue Ridge District and for both teams," said Terriers coach Paul Barnard.
"I thought our kids played a tremendous game. The only negative is that it didn't end 66-66, instead of 66-60. If a game could end in a tie, this one should have."
David Robertson had 15 points for William Byrd, nine in the second half.
\ see microfilm for box score
Keywords:
BASKETBALL