Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 16, 1993 TAG: 9311160074
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FORT CHISWELL LENGTH: Medium
And that has the Buffaloes, who have won three straight Mountain Empire District championships, approaching their role as defending champion in the Region C high school girls' basketball tournament very carefully.
"We know what to expect," said Leigh-Ann Pursifull, a 5-foot-7 junior forward. "We've had that [tournament] experience."
Of course, Floyd County (23-1) is favored to repeat as the regionals begin tonight at Fort Chiswell High School. The team meets James River (15-8), the Pioneer District tournament champion, at 7 in the first round.
Tonight's winner plays Rural Retreat (20-1), the Hogoheegee District regular-season and tournament champion, in the semifinals Thursday. The finals are Saturday.
"James River has a strong starting five," said Floyd County coach Alan Cantrell. They come out and play real good defense. They've got a really super guard. And they don't have super size but all five are pretty quick."
The guard that worries Cantrell is point guard Kara Mundy (9.1 points), a 5-7 senior.
The people Mundy is most likely to dish it off to are the Knights' inside players: 5-8 senior forward Teresa Hickman (13.9 points, 7.4 rebounds) and 5-9 junior center Angie Johnson (12.3 points, 5.8 rebounds).
Meanwhile, James River coach Sheila Proffit is worried her team might not get a chance to use all of its offensive weapons.
"We have to be able to beat their press," said Proffit. "We know they like to press and their press is pretty tough. If we can work the ball inside to our big girls, we'll be OK. We just have to get it past that first wave of defenders."
The Buffaloes agree that the outcome will depend on their defense.
"We've got to play a good game all-around," said Lynette Nolley, a 6-1 senior and the Mountain Empire District's player of the year. "We have to hit the boards and play good defense."
Of course, the Buffaloes balanced high-powered offense will also have an impact.
Six players average at least five points per game: Nolley (14.3 points, 6.0 rebounds); Pursifull (10.4 points); 5-6 sophomore Melissa Cantrell (9.4 points, 3.2 assists); 6-1 junior Carrie Chaffin (8.6 points, 7.0 rebounds); 5-10 junior Laura Harman (6.3 points); and 5-3 senior Monica Lucas (5.4 points, 4.7 assists).
A Floyd County win will send it into a battle of once-beaten teams against Rural Retreat in the semifinals at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Rural Retreat won its first 16 games this year. It is led by junior small forward Tanya Tarter (14.7 points, 9.6 rebounds) and junior shooting guard Beth Ketner (10.2 points).
by CNB