Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 2, 1993 TAG: 9309020115
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BY BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FLOYD LENGTH: Medium
Lord Botetourt, ranked No. 1 in Timesland, held off 1992 state Group AA champion Blacksburg 54-52 on the first night of the Floyd County Classic on Wednesday. The Indians are ranked No. 3 in the first poll of the season.
In the nightcap, No. 4 Floyd County rolled past Patrick County 82-31 to complete the first session of the three-night round-robin tournament.
As if one big game isn't enough, the Cavaliers have another tonight when they face an experienced Floyd County team that is considered a favorite to win the Group A state tournament. That game is at 7:30 p.m. after Blacksburg plays Patrick County.
"This is unbelievable," said Botetourt center Ashley Moore, a senior who has had a career of disappointing losses in big games. "Last year we were in games to the end. We lost a close one to [state Group AA runner-up] William Byrd that would have put us in the regional. This is our last year. We have to win the big games."
Botetourt coach David Wheat said his team was psyched for the Indians, who went 27-0 a year ago.
"About three or four years ago, we played Radford after they won the state," he said. "We weren't in their league, but we knew we'd be in this game."
Moore and senior Jenny Gates kept Botetourt in the game, scoring 13 of the Cavaliers' 16 points in the fourth quarter. Laurie Ottaway had two of her game-high five assists in the final eight minutes.
Moore put Botetourt ahead for good with a shot in the lane to make it 48-47 with 2 minutes, 34 seconds left. Gates had the ball, got a look from Moore and passed to the 6-foot-1 center, who shot the ball on the run.
With the Indians closing to a point down, Moore hit two free throws with 1:14 left to make the score 53-50. After Blacksburg's Abigail Murrmann hit a bucket to cut Botetourt's margin to one again, Gates sank a free throw with 44.6 seconds left.
Murrmann missed her free throw in a bonus situation. She then stole the ball, but Meredith Braine missed a 15-foot jumper at the buzzer.
"We wanted to go inside-outside with the ball, but they did a good job of defensing it," said Blacksburg assistant coach Grant Smythers, who filled in while head coach Mickey McGuigan attended a school function. "Really, they wanted this game a little more than we did and got after the ball."
Blacksburg guard Mary Thorn did her best to keep the Indians' winning ways going. The senior hit four of seven 3-point field-goal attempts on the way to 24 points.
Floyd County, whose only loss last season came in a Group A semifinal to eventual champion Wilson Memorial, appeared to be in midseason form. The Buffaloes outscored Patrick County 26-3 before the Cougars hit a basket.
Lynette Nolley, a second-team All-Timesland pick as a junior, scored 12 points and had four steals and five assists in less than 16 minutes.
Now Nolley, Floyd County's center, can look forward to the main courses of Lord Botetourt and Blacksburg to find out just how good the Buffaloes are.
"We played Blacksburg last year in a scrimmage and they beat us pretty good. So we're thinking back to that. It's an incentive," she said.
Coach Alan Cantrell says Botetourt will be a real test for his Floyd team.
"They're big and they shoot that 3 well," Cantrell said. "A year ago, Blacksburg took it to us and left a wakeup call for us. I'm sure these two games will help us."
by CNB