Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 23, 1995 TAG: 9502230108
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The Indians used their height advantage to defeat Carroll County 62-49 in a semifinal game of the New River District boys' basketball tournament. Blacksburg (9-11) will play at Christiansburg (18-3), the regular-season champion, in the title game at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Blacksburg also earned a spot in next week's Group AA Region IV tournament and will play at the No.2 seed from the Southwest District.
Carroll County (4-18) packed in its defense, but couldn't contend with the Indians, led by senior Anthony Wheeler (6-foot-3) and sophomore Philip Klaus (6-4). Blacksburg outrebounded the Cavaliers 36-22 and made 15 of its 20 field goals on layups and baskets off rebounds.
``We've been working on that,'' said Wheeler, who led the Indians with 18 points and 11 rebounds. ``Coach [Bob Trear] told us when we got the ball inside, there were going to be three or four guys in the lane coming at you. But the other big man would be standing wide open. We executed inside and rebounded well. And things turned out our way."
Klaus, who finished with14 points, hit a couple of short jumpers in the first quarter. But that did little to open up the inside.
``They packed it in the lane an awful lot,'' Blacksburg coach Bob Trear said. ``They were daring us - almost begging us - to take that little jumper from the line. Even after Philip hit a couple they stayed in it most of the time.''
While Blacksburg was dominating inside, Carroll County couldn't make its shots from outside. The Cavaliers went 81/2 minutes without scoring in the first and second periods before a basket with 1 minutes, 53 seconds left before halftime.
While Carroll County missed nine straight shots, Blacksburg went on a 16-0 run to take a 24-8 lead. Klaus scored six in the run , and Wheeler added four.
``On the offensive end, we didn't execute very well,'' Carroll County coach Pat Sharp said. ``Blacksburg played a pressure man-to-man and we stood around. We didn't get a lot of seconds shots while Blacksburg did. We let Blacksburg dictate everything on the defensive end.''
The Indians' lead eventually reached 31-11 with 5:31 left in the third quarter. Carroll County pulled to 13 on several occasions and finally to 11 in the final minute.
But Blacksburg made 18 of 22 fourth-quarter foul shots to preserve the win.
``It was just like the game at Carroll County,'' said Blacksburg's Trent Peterson, who made all 10 of his fourth-quarter foul shots. ``I knew we needed the foul shots. If we make the free throws, we ensure going to regionals. I didn't want the season to end. I don't think anybody wanted it to end.''
Casey McCreary (16) and Matt Larrowe (12) combined for 28 of the Cavaliers' points.
see microfilm for box score
by CNB