ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 14, 1996 TAG: 9602140083
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
William Fleming is knocking on the door, hoping to become a state basketball contender just as it does almost every year at this time.
First, the Colonels have some unfinished business. They warmed up for that task Tuesday by pasting Pulaski County 73-57 to clinch a tie for the Roanoke Valley District title.
Winning the title won't be any easier than making the list of top 10 teams in Group AAA. Fleming ranks 11th in Group AAA as the only other squad drawing votes in this week's Associated Press poll. If the Colonels beat Patrick Henry or Cave Spring, their two biggest RVD rivals, in the next three days, they'll clinch the title. If they beat them both, maybe they'll get some respect around the state.
``Those are very tough games,'' Fleming coach Marshall Ashford said. ``Especially since we play on their floor. I saw all of them watching us tonight, so I know they'll be ready.''
Fleming (13-5 overall, 6-0 district) gave scouts a show. Inside, Sterling Tate and James Stokes did a job on the Cougars (5-10, 0-6) as they combined for 29 points. Outside, guards Richard Wilson and Brad Dunleavy each hit three 3-point shots.
``I think Fleming is playing better than they did earlier, but Patrick Henry isn't the same team it was during December,'' said Pulaski County coach Pat Burns, whose young Cougars lost to PH in Dublin on Monday. ``I think they can both be threats in the region.''
Fleming faces PH on Thursday and Cave Spring on Friday. If the Colonels lose both, it will create a three-way tie.
``The thing about Fleming is they hit outside,'' Burns said. ``When Dunleavy and Wilson hit like that, they're tough to defense because if you try to jam up the middle, they throw it back outside.''
Fleming came up with 10 steals and five blocked shots. Charles Burnette had four thefts while Tate, who led all scorers with 17 points, had three blocks. Tate has made a steady recovery from off-season knee surgery and has provided inside help for Stokes, Fleming's leading scorer who had 12 points and six rebounds against the Cougars.
``I don't think I'm back to full strength,'' Tate said. ``James and I kind of feed off each other. Tonight we just sort of took turns hitting the basket.''
``I think Sterling realizes this is his senior year,'' Ashford said, ``and he has to go out and play hard. This team had so many ups and downs, but we've started to put it together now in the district.''
Pulaski County's leading scorer, Jamar McNair, was held to seven points by Fleming's defense. Craig Hodge had 14 points and five steals in the second half for the Cougars.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: WAYNE DEEL/Staff. Fleming's James Stokes (left) andby CNBPulaski County's Jamar McNair watch helplessly as a rebound gets
away from them.