Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 22, 1995 TAG: 9501250054
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The battle between boys' basketball state champions from Virginia and Kentucky didn't appear to be much of a battle when Salem grabbed a 21-point lead over Fairdale on Saturday.
That appearance quickly vanished, however, as Fairdale wore down the Spartans to grab a 73-71 victory in the Crestar Classic's second game Saturday at the Salem Civic Center.
``This is why we won the state last year,'' said Lloyd Gardner, Fairdale's coach. ``We don't give up when we get down, and we don't quit.''
It also helps to have junior guard Antwuan James, who Gardner predicts will be one of the nation'stop recruits next year.
When Salem built a 30-9 lead early in the second quarter, James was scoreless. By halftime, though, he had 12 of his game-high 30, and Fairdale (10-6) had pulled to 43-38.
``We gave them the game,'' said Charlie Morgan, Salem's coach. ``We got up and played excellent basketball for 11/2 quarters. Then we played not to lose instead of playing to win.''
Fairdale is familiar with big comebacks.
``We were down 16 to the No.1-ranked 6A team in Florida and lost in overtime,'' Gardner said.
Salem got its big lead thanks to Chad Pendleton, who scored 14 first-half points, and Ryan Reeves, who had nine points in the first quarter
``I don't think they thought I could shoot the ball. They had never seen us play, and people playing the post aren't supposed to shoot outside,'' said Pendleton, made all five of his 3-point attempts.
Fairdale scored nine of the first 11 points in the second half, and it appeared Salem (7-6) would have a hard time staying on top. But Pendleton kept the Spartans on top with his 3-pointers.
Salem built a 57-49 advantage on Pendleton's second 3-pointer, but by the end of the third quarter, the Bulldogs had taken the lead for good when James scored consecutive baskets to make the score 58-57.
In the fourth quarter, Fairdale's lead was never more than four. When Lavelle Richard missed a one-and-one for the Bulldogs with 26.4 seconds left, the Spartans were down by one.
James, though, stole the ball from Woolwine, who had recovered a teammate's bad pass. James was fouled and made both free throws for a 72-69 lead.
``We had a play set to get the ball inside to Kevin Garst,'' Morgan said of the errant play.
Garst made two free throws after James' pair to make it a one-point game again with 9.4 seconds left.
Fairdale's Troy Brown made one free throw, and Salem hurried down the court where freshman Hershel Thomas missed a 3-point attempt for the win.
``He had a good look, and that's all you can ask for,'' Morgan said.
``I knew it was off,'' said Thomas, who had been promoted from junior varsity to varsity starter on Friday.
Salem made 23-of-41 field-goal attempts and had a 30-29 rebounding edge.
The Bulldogs' press also forced 29 turnovers, and that was a big factor in the comeback as Fairdale made only 27-of-64 field-goal attempts.
``This team is much better than anyone we'll play in the Blue Ridge District,'' Pendleton said. ``This shows what we can do if we play.''
by CNB