Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 16, 1993 TAG: 9311160112
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
"I look at it this way," said senior Meredith Braine, a 5-foot-11 forward. "We lost our first game of the regular season and we won all the rest. Now we've lost the first game of our playoff season. Now we can go out and win the rest of them."
The Indians (20-2) will try to bounce back from their early exit in the New River District tournament when they host Lee (12-8), the Highlands District No. 2 seed, in the opening round of the Region IV playoffs tonight at 7:30.
The game also begins Blacksburg's defense of its Region IV and Group AA state titles.
The winner travels to Richlands (19-3) for Thursday's semifinals.
Lee's first-year coach Bill Turley is also a student of recent sports history. One event he tries to downplay is last year's regional semifinal: Blacksburg 62, Lee 37.
"Blacksburg knocked us out last year," said Turley, whose team has gone 10-2 down the stretch. "The players know Blacksburg's game. They know what Blacksburg is going to do. They're not going to be intimidated. What they are going to have is a healthy respect [for Blacksburg] which is what I would want them to have for any opponent."
The Generals also have some plans on how to prevent history from repeating itself. They have an effective man-to-man defense. They have a strong high-post offense.
And they have six seniors back from last year's defeat, including standouts Jennifer Yeary (13 points), a 5-9 wing; Tonya Owens (12 points, 8.8 rebounds), a 5-11 center; and Rachel Moses (11 points), a 5-10 forward.
Of course, they will be facing a Blacksburg team which has reached some realizations.
"It [the loss to Carroll County] was a wake up call for us; we all realize that if we lose, our season is over," said 6-1 center Abigail Murrmann, a senior. "We have to just keep playing our game. It's all mental. We just have to be ready for it and to play hard."
The Indians also realize if they do that, they have a history of success on their side.
"My philosophy is that basically what we've done all year long has worked for us," said Blacksburg coach Mickey McGuigan. "We want to make them have to stop us."
When the Indians go inside, Braine (9.7 points, 6.7 rebounds) and Murrmann (7.5 points, 5.6 rebounds) are the main threats.
From the outside, it is point-guard Mary Thorn (10.1 points, 6.4 assists), a 5-6 senior.
And 5-9 junior forward Lisa Price (12.2 points, 5.0 rebounds) has gone inside and outside to lead the team in scoring.
Another team the Indians beat in the regionals last year - Richlands (69-45 in the finals) - awaits them if they wins.
Richlands, the Southwest District regular-season champion, has four players who score in double-figures: 5-7 freshman forward Christi Bennett (12.5 points); 5-10 junior post Martha Phipps (11.2 points); 5-8 sophomore forward Laura Burress (11.0 points); and 5-10 junior post Alysha Perkins (10.0 points).
However, Phipps missed the district tournament with a knee injury. Her status for the regional semifinals is uncertain, which could have a marked effect on the Blue Tornadoes inside game.
by CNB