ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, February 23, 1996 TAG: 9602230107
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B7 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CHAD WILLIS STAFF WRITER
THE COUGARS are too much for Franklin County in the Roanoke Valley District tournament.
Just how bad were things for Franklin County on Thursday night in the Roanoke Valley District girls' basketball semifinals?
Consider the following statistics.
The Eagles (4-17) shot 30 percent from the field, committed 20 turnovers, fired up nine airballs and saw seven shots blocked in their 92-63 loss to regular-season champion Pulaski County.
Further complicating the task at hand, the Cougars (15-6) compiled a robust 60 percent shooting performance and scored in runs of 22-3, 16-1 and 8-0 during the game at Cave Spring High School. Pulaski County will meet the winner of Thursday night's second semifinal, between Cave Spring and William Fleming, in the final at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Salem Civic Center.
Five Cougars scored in double figures, led by Sarah Donald's 14 points. The district's leading scorer, Katrina Williams added 13.
``That's the kind of scoring we've gotten all year,'' said Buddy Farris, Pulaski County's coach. ``We have five or six girls that average seven points or better.''
The Eagles were led by Kelli Preston's 18 points. Penee Clayborne hit for 15.
``We ran into a hot team tonight,'' said Debra Crockett, Franklin County's coach. ``It didn't hurt them that they shot 60 percent. It seemed like they didn't miss a shot in the third quarter.''
In reality, the Cougars were 11 of 15 in the period as they pushed a 46-27 halftime lead to 68-46.
``They were pulling up and hitting shots. there was just nothing we could do,'' Crockett said. ``We had a hand in their face on most of them. They were just playing well.''
Pulaski County dominated play in the first half, connecting on 52 percent (19 of 35) of its shots from the field.
``Normally, we are a second-half team, but tonight we got it done in the first half,'' Farris said.
The Cougars were able to force the ball inside the entire first half, scoring 20 points in the paint.
``We wanted to get the ball inside, because that has been a bit of a weak spot for us this year,'' Farris said.
As good as the Pulaski County offense was, it was the Cougars' defense that - literally - stole the show.
Pulaski County forced 11 first-half turnovers while holding Franklin County to 31 percent (11-of-36) shooting.
With 47 seconds left in the first quarter, the Eagles had more turnovers (nine) than points (seven), and had missed nine consecutive field-goal attempts.
``We did a lot of things to help them out,'' Crockett said. ``Their intensity brought some things out in us I thought we had put behind us this year.
``But you have to give Pulaski County a lot of credit. If they continue to play this way, I predict they will win the tournament.''
see microfilm for box score
LENGTH: Medium: 64 linesby CNB