ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, January 6, 1996 TAG: 9601120003
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
This must have been what James Naismith had in mind when he invented the game.
Blue Ridge District basketball rivals Northside and William Byrd squared off in front of a full house in the Terriers' gym Friday night, and the result was a double overtime thriller, with the Vikings narrowly prevailing, 66-64, in the district opener for both teams.
Viking guard Justin Porterfield scored the game-winning basket on a baseline drive with 11 seconds left in the second overtime.
After two ensuing timeouts, Byrd's Mayo Wilson launched a 3-pointer from the top of the key. It was on-line, but bounced off the back of the rim.
Both teams shot better than 50 percent from the floor, fouls and turnovers were relatively few, and both coaches had high praise for the play of the two teams.
``Welcome to the Blue Ridge District,'' said Byrd coach Paul Barnard. ``One play here or there and we could have won. I thought each team responded tonight. The only bad thing is that we came up two points short.''
``Both teams played great,'' said Northside coach Bill Pope. ``We feel really fortunate. You can't fault anyone in this game; eventually, somebody had to win.''
Northside (4-4) started with a rush, hitting seven of its first 11 shots from the field en route to a 15-7 lead. Byrd (7-2) chipped away, however, and took its first lead 22-21 early in the second period when Zack Bocock converted a 3-pointer.
The Vikings regained the lead on a Ben Peete jumper, and expanded its advantage to five (33-28) when Spence Peters hit a 3-pointer just before the halftime buzzer.
Byrd's star forward Chris Childress dominated the third quarter, scoring 13 of his game-high 28 points. But the Terriers did not lead until Childress hit a 3-pointer at the third-period buzzer, putting Byrd ahead 43-42.
The Terriers pushed ahead 48-42 early in the final period, but Northside continued to work its offense and regained the lead at 51-50 on a Peete basket.
Strong rebounding and inside moves by Frank English put Byrd ahead until Peete scored over Michael Berry to tie the score at 55 with 18 seconds left in regulation.
Wilson had an opportunity to win the game in regulation, but his 3-point attempt from the left wing rimmed out with two seconds left.
It was back-and-forth in the first overtime, with Northside holding for the last shot when the score was 61-61. Playmaker Porterfield whipped the ball to Peters for a 3-point try, again at the buzzer. It just missed.
Neither team led by more than two points in the second overtime, but with the score tied 64-64, Northside held the ball for the final minute, again with Porterfield in control.
English and Wilson each scored 12 points for the Terriers.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
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