Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 2, 1993 TAG: 9311020063
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
That's why Thorn, who helped Blacksburg to a 27-0 record and Group A girls' basketball championship in 1992, has decided to play college ball at East Carolina.
"The town and the college reminded me of Blacksburg and [Virginia] Tech," said Thorn, who visited East Carolina on Oct. 15-16 and visited Winthrop a week later. "It felt like I was at home, although it was tough convincing my dad [Danny] that five-and-a-half hours isn't that far away. He wanted me to stay close to home so he could watch me play."
Thorn, a senior point guard, canceled a visit to nearby Radford this weekend. Radford is expecting a commitment later this week from Wilma Walton, a highly touted guard from Wheeling, W.Va., and is reluctant to sign another backcourt player.
Thorn called East Carolina coach Rosie Thompson Friday night to inform the second-year coach of her decision.
East Carolina lost all five starters from last year's 16-12 squad that finished fourth in the Colonial Athletic Association. Thorn said she expects to be part of a young team again next year.
"I'm excited about the future there," she said.
Thorn is averaging 10.7 points and 6.4 assists per game for the Indians, who are 18-1 and ranked third in Timesland. A four-year letter-winner, she averaged 11.1 points and 6.8 assists per game during the state championship season.
Although she's played the point for the past three years, her real talent is as a shooter. She's 35-of-73 (47.0 percent) on 3-point tries this year, 93-of-232 (40 percent) in her career.
"The way we do things here, she has sacrificed some individual recognition to help the team as a whole," said Blacksburg coach Mickey McGuigan. "On about any other team, she would have had better individual numbers."
In Monday night's basketball action:
\ Fort Chiswell 54\ Galax 53
GALAX - The host Maroon Tied rallied from a 14-point halftime deficit, but came up short against the Pioneers in a Mountain Empire District game.
Chasity Wright led the Pioneers with 19 points, including five 3-pointers. Anesha Marshall added 12 points and Amber Gunter 10 for Fort Chiswell (8-11 overall, 8-9 district). Jaclyn Dickens paced Galax (11-8, 11-6) with 23 points, and Tammy Cox added 17.
FORT CHISWELL (54)
Marshall 12, Poole 3, Porter 2, Freeman 4, Wright 19, Eversole 4, Gunter 10. GALAX (53)
Owen 3, Dickens 23, Cox 17, Hart 4, Spivey 6. Fort Chiswell 919818-54 Galax 681425-53 Three-point goals: Dickens 3, Wright 5, Gunter 2. JV: 32-26, Galax.
\ Floyd County 60\ Auburn 43
RINER - The Buffaloes (18-1, 17-0) used their height advantage and aggressive inside play to overwhelm the Eagles (12-7, 12-6) in a Mountain Empire District game.
Floyd County grabbed 29 defensive rebounds and turned many of its 18 offensive rebounds into baskets.
Lynette Nolley led the Buffaloes with 11 points, and Laura Harmon, Leigh-Ann Pursiful and Monica Lucas had 10 each.
Angie Simpkins and Renay Gardner had 11 each for Auburn.
\ Giles 56\ Grayson County 42
PEARISBURG - A big seconmd quarter carried the host Spartans (6-13, 6-11) past the Blue Devils (3-16, 3-14) for a Mountain Empire District victory.
Giles used full-court pressure, including several steals by forward Tomika Saunders, to outscore Grayson County 19-8 in the second quarter for a 31-17 lead. The teams played evenly in the second half, with each getting 25 points, and Grayson County could not overcome Giles' first-half surge.
Saunders scored 14 points, made eight steals and grabbed 14 rebounds. Heather Wilburn also scored 14 points for Giles.
Tia Stuart had 15 points, and Catie Satterwhite had 10 for Grayson County.
Memo: ***CORRECTION***