Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 21, 1995 TAG: 9511210075
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In two regular season meetings, the Cavaliers ripped the Indians 75-59 and 65-44.
Those games were early in the season and coaches of both teams feel the third meeting should be much closer.
This is one of three games involving Timesland teams in the state tournament. In another Group AA contest, William Byrd takes a long trip to Grundy for a repeat of its first-round game last fall in Vinton.
Floyd County opens its bid for a third consecutive Group A tournament championship at home against Honaker. All three games start at 7 p.m. and the winners advance to the semifinal round scheduled at the Salem Civic Center on Friday, Dec.1.
Lord Botetourt (23-4) is playing its best basketball. The Cavaliers finally beat William Byrd in the Region III championship game and have won six of their last seven games.
Botetourt coach David Wheat must get his team focused against a squad it has beaten with ease.
``I know we didn't play well against them either time. Down there, we came back after trailing at halftime and won it,'' said Wheat. ``You have to deal with overconfidence. We'll talk about that. They have a good program and we have to remember two years ago, we got beat in this round at their place.''
Blacksburg (11-13) has struggled. The Indians, however, upset Richlands 64-60 at home to gain the state tournament and has won five of its last six games.
``I think they're definitely favored,'' said Indians coach Mickey McGuigan. ``People will look at our record and say we don't belong there. The last few games of the regular season, we started playing up to our potential.
``Our games during the regular season were wide open. I'm sure Botetourt is playing better. They like an up-tempo game and we have to do a good job controlling tempo. We're not a slow-down team, but up-tempo isn't our game.''
Botetourt has been led all year by 6-foot Sarah Hicks (22.0 points per game) and guard Sara Moore (17.3 ppg), a pair of juniors on a team with only one senior. What's made Botetourt scary is that the other starters and reserves have started contributing points.
Blacksburg's top scorer is April Rogers (15.0 ppg). Second-leading scorer Angela Feret (10.2 ppg) is slowed by an injury to her left foot.
``It's been bothering her all year. It was worse [at Grundy Saturday in the Region IV title contest]. Our trainer wasn't there and I hope it's not the tape job I did,'' said McGuigan.
Byrd (23-3) beat Grundy 65-50 last year despite trailing 29-23 at the half. Grundy (17-6) is led by point guard Shauna Hurley and outside shooter Ashley Mullins, who didn't play last year against Byrd. The Golden Wave also has 6-foot freshman Leigh Farmer, a 180-pounder off the bench, to fight Byrd's height of 6-0 Brandy Allen, 5-11 Kristi Dyer and 6-2 freshman Stephanie Parnell.
It's possible there could be a fifth Byrd-Botetourt meeting, though the Terriers have the toughest path toward that game.
``I'd love to play them again,'' said Byrd coach Richard Thrasher. ``I know they're good enough to make the finals.''
Floyd County (21-5) comes to the tournament with its worst record in years. That's misleading because the Buffaloes' five losses came against Group AA competition, including two against William Byrd and one to Blacksburg, which was possibly the Indians' top game.
Floyd County's last loss to a Group A team came in the 1993 state semifinals when Wilson Memorial, led by 6-4 Angela Gorsica, beat the Buffaloes 49-47. Since then, Gorsica has gone on to a career with Vanderbilt University, where last year she was the nation's leading Division I shot blocker, while Floyd County has won 62 consecutive games against Group A competition.
This year, Floyd County coach Alan Cantrell, in an effort to get his team ready for a possible third state title, scheduled non-district games only against Group AA squads. His team went 8-5 in those contests.
As usual, Floyd County has balanced scoring led by Melissa Cantrell (14.4 ppg) and Julie Sowers (11.7 ppg). The Buffaloes don't have the height of last year, but they still play the same pressure to create an up tempo game.
Honaker (24-2) comes in with a strong record, but has no recent state tournament experience, meaning a trip to Floyd County might be a frightening experience.
by CNB