Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 11, 1995 TAG: 9503140062
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRIS KING SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Four Glenvar players scored in double figures as the Highlanders defeated Twin Springs and standout sophomore Stacy Ervin 61-55 Friday night at Cassell Coliseum.
Glenvar (19-8) advances to the Group A semifinals Thursday night at the Vines Center in Lynchburg. The Highlanders will face the winner of tonight's Clarke County-Nandua matchup.
Ervin, the Twin Springs star, scored 32 points, four above his season average, but no other Titan scored in double figures. Ervin made 11-of-25 field-goal attempts and averaged a point a minute.
In the first half, the Highlanders built a 31-20 lead on the strength of their dominance in the paint. Glenvar made 9-of-27 field-goal attempts but hauled down nine offensive rebounds to offset its shooting woes. Many of those were corralled by Corey Willis.
``Coach put me down low this game, because I was struggling with my outside shot,'' said Willis, who responded with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Glenvar's muscle inside led to a wide disparity in free-throw attempts in the first half. The Highlanders attempted 12 free throws, converting nine, and the Titans attempted three free throws.
``You have to give them credit,'' Twin Springs coach Lee Clark said. ``But we did a lot of standing around in the first half. They came out and did what they had to do to win: blocking out on the boards and sticking shots back in.''
After falling behind by 11 in the second half the Titans (24-3) fought back and cut the deficit to 50-46 with 1 minute, 47 seconds remaining. Four Highlanders combined to nail 12 of Glenvar's last 13 free throws to keep the Titans at arm's length. Darnall hit seven of eight attempts in the clutch.
``I just concentrated on the front of the rim and my follow-through,'' said Jason Darnall, who led Glenvar in scoring with 15 points. ``Nothing else.''
The trip to the state semifinals will be Glenvar's first in 20 years. It was also the last time they won.
``Our goals this year were to win district, regionals and make it to state,'' Glenvar coach Art Lawrence said. ``But these guys won't just be glad to get there. They are a little bit hungrier and want to win.''
``It is a great feeling,'' Darnall said. ``I think we can win it all if we keep our heads and our composure.''
James Williams tallied 14 points, and Nick Varney added 10.
Keywords:
BASKETBALL
by CNB