ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, December 28, 1995 TAG: 9512280085
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
After watching his teammates miss all sorts of free throws in the fourth quarter, Salem sophomore Sam Lazzaro Jr., wasn't about to back down when his chance came with 8.6 seconds remaining.
The Spartans point guard made both attempts to provide Salem with a 64-62 upset victory over previously unbeaten William Byrd in the semifinals of the NationsBank Holiday Hoops Classic at the Salem Civic Center on Wednesday.
Lazzaro's free throws came after the Spartans missed eight free throws in the fourth quarter, enabling Byrd to erase the 16-point Salem had built in the third quarter. Salem led 64-61 after Lazzaro's tosses.
``I just knew I had to knock them down,'' Lazzaro said. ``I had been in that position against Byrd in a junior varsity game when I was in eighth grade. I missed, and they came back to win.''
Lazzaro's free throws came after two by teammate Herschel Thomas with 21.1 seconds left. Thomas' free throws seemed to halt the bricks being tossed by a young Salem team feeling the pressure of trying for its first upset.
``We were just out of sync,'' said Thomas . ``I frankly felt I had to hit.''
The Spartans (3-2) are in the championship game against another unbeaten team, Riverside, today at 3:45 p.m. Byrd (6-1) catches Blue Ridge District rival Northside at 2 p.m. in a battle for third place.
Even after Lazzaro's free throws, the game was far from finished. Needing a 3-pointer to tie, Byrd never had a chance as Andy Beach fouled the Terriers' Chris Childress, who led all scorers with 23 points. Childress also turned in a great defensive effort that included four steals and four blocked shots.
``I wanted to foul them, that's why we went to a press,'' said Salem coach Charlie Morgan, realizing two shots from the line would not wipe out a three-point lead.
Childress hit the first free throw and intentionally missed the second one. Chris Blackwell got the offensive rebound but missed a shot from underneath for the tie with Scott Hall rebounding to preserve Salem's victory.
``I said he's got to be fouled or make it,'' said Byrd coach Paul Barnard, who got neither desire.
Even with the missed free throws, though, Byrd might not have rallied had it not been for Frank English hitting 16 points. He scored 13 in the second half to keep the Terriers alive.
``He stepped it up, and that's good,'' Barnard said. ``It has to give him confidence down the road.''
``Salem played harder than us [in the first half]. I have to give our kids credit. They didn't fold, and they showed a lot of poise. I thought we outhustled them in the fourth quarter. As far as hustle and poise, Salem won the first three quarters.''
Lazzaro's heroics weren't confined to the end. He also hit Salem's last seven points in the second quarter to give the Spartans a 34-26 lead.
``I just got open, and I've been practicing shooting real hard,'' he said. ``I felt like I could hit them.''
Both teams shot well, with Salem connecting on 21-of-43 field-goal attempts and the Terriers hitting 22-of-43. There were several crucial 3-point shots, including three in the first half by Thomas to set the tone and a couple by Mayo Wilson and Blackwell in the final quarter to help Byrd's rally.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 64 linesby CNB