ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 20, 1996 TAG: 9602200065
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
SOURCE: FROM STAFF REPORTS
Joel Nester scored a game-high 31 points - including 12 in the fourth quarter - as Roanoke Valley Christian handed Carlisle its first Virginia Independent Conference loss of the season, winning 86-65 on Monday night at the Eagles' gym.
Nester hit 14 of 16 from the free-throw line, including all six in the final quarter. Mark Arbogast added 15 points and Chris Huffman scored 11 for Roanoke Valley Christian (16-5 overall, 10-3 VIC).
Lamont Franklin scored 24 points, Bryant Redd 17 and Joseph McClinton 15 for Carlisle (20-2, 13-1).
James River 74, Craig County 53: The Knights grabbed an early lead and coasted to a 19-point victory over the Rockets in the Pioneer District game in Buchanan.
James River (10-9, 2-10) was led by Chris Firebaugh's 19 points and Travis Blankenship's 14.
Craig County (2-13, 0-10 ) was led by Dewayne Crawford's 18 points. Jamie Fisher added 15 for the Rockets.
Hargrave Military 65, Roanoke Catholic 59: The Tigers used a strong inside game to beat the Celtics in Chatham and advance to the Virginia Independent Conference tournament.
James Searcy had 22 points and Carlos Pearson added 21 as Hargrave Military used superior rebounding and inside strength to hold off Catholic.
The Celtics (5-14) got 19 points from Chris Lothes, 16 from Chad Wall and 14 from Terron Reed.
Timberlake Christian 53, North Cross 38: Jason Spear hit three of his five 3-pointers early in the third quarter as Timberlake Christian downed the Raiders to win the Virginia Independent Conference regular-season finale for both schools.
Spear finished with 15 points and Hall Fitzgerald led all scorers with 17 for Timberlake Christian (12-8, 7-7).
Jeff Baetz scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to pace North Cross (2-17, 2-11).
Girls
Pulaski County 73, Patrick Henry 29: Katrina Williams hit 19 points and had eight steals as the Cougars coasted past the Patriots to lock up a share of the Roanoke Valley District title.
Pulaski County (14-6, 10-2) will meet Cave Spring, a 56-48 winner over William Fleming, at Franklin County at 6 p.m. today in a playoff game that will settle the title and one of two RVD spots in the Northwest Region tournament.
Patrick Henry (1-17, 1-11) also plays at Franklin County tonight at 7:30 in a first-round Roanoke Valley District tournament game.
Roanoke Catholic 43, Holy Cross 39: Christy Hinman hit two free throws with four seconds left as the Celtics slipped past the Gaels in a Blue Ridge Conference tournament game at Roanoke Catholic.
Holy Cross led most of the game, but with 1:30 left, the Celtics' Mila Drewry hit a 3-pointer. She added a two-pointer to pull the Celtics to 39-38. With 13 seconds left, Teresa Monsour gave Roanoke Catholic a 41-39 lead with another 3-pointer. After Holy Cross inbounded and lost the ball out of bounds, Catholic did the same. With four seconds left, Hinman stole the ball and was fouled. After Hinman's free throws, Holy Cross inbounded and heaved a shot that missed.
Monsour scored 12 points for the Celtics. Marie Gamis had 13 for Holy Cross.
see microfilm for box score
LENGTH: Medium: 74 linesby CNB