ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, February 24, 1996 TAG: 9602260049
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
There's not a lot of senior leadership on the Salem basketball squad because the team has few 12th graders.
One senior who showed a lot of heart was guard Eric Millard, who sat on the bench Tuesday while his teammates lost a Blue Ridge District playoff to Northside.
Millard, who usually has been in the rotation, could have sulked. Instead, he took advantage of his playing time Friday as he entered the game early and stayed late to help Salem rout William Byrd 83-56 in a Blue Ridge District tournament semifinal at the Salem Civic Center.
That gives the Spartans (14-8) another shot at the Vikings in tonight's championship game at 9. Millard will be there, trying to add to the five assists and five points he had Friday. He'll also join the Spartans in the Region III tournament next week at Rustburg.
``I don't usually single out players, but Eric's contribution was huge,'' said Salem coach Charlie Morgan. ``It was my fault he didn't play against Northside, but I go by the feel of the game a lot of times.''
Others might have hung their head, but Millard didn't.
``At this point, it's whatever is best for the team. Earlier in the season, I might have been upset when we were looking for the best chemistry if I didn't get to play,'' said Millard.
``Eric is a very smart man. Any senior who doesn't play a lot can be unhappy, but he's kept his head up,'' said Morgan. ``A lot of times, he loses confidence, but he didn't show that tonight.''
That summed up the Salem team. Last year the Spartans lost a playoff game to Northside and then got off to a sluggish start and were beaten by Byrd in the tournament semifinals.
For the first 4:42, it looked like a replay of last year. The Spartans had only one 3-point shot by Andy Beach and trailed 9-3. Then Herschel Thomas scored nine points, including two more 3-pointers, as Salem went on a 15-2 spurt to finish the quarter ahead 18-11.
The rout continued in the second quarter. Salem scored eight of the first 10 points to finish a 23-4 run and end the suspense.
``We got in a track meet and they kept beating us for easy baskets. We're not good at running. Their press broke our tempo,'' said Byrd coach Paul Barnard, whose team was swept in four meetings by the Spartans.
``They also beat us inside and that shouldn't happen. But [Eric] Grinnell and [Kwam] Lewis did a great job for them.''
Grinnell led Salem with 19 points. He missed two shots in the first quarter, but came back to hit 5-of-6 shots in the second quarter as Salem built a 43-29 lead at the half.
There was no improvement after intermission. The Spartans were ahead 65-40 with 7:08 left after Lewis' layup.
Byrd (15-7) was paced by Chris Childress, Timesland's second-leading scorer, with 20 points. He had little help since center Kevin Stump (12 points) was the only other Terrier to hit double figures. The Terriers hit only 20-of-54 shots.
Salem's free-throw shooting was outstanding. The Spartans hit their first 13 and made 18-of-21 for the game. The Spartans also hit 30-of-47 shots.
Millard shared the assist leadership with Sam Lazzaro and Thomas, who also had five each. Thomas added 19 points, hitting three three-point plays and playing under control.
``Hey, these guys wanted this game,'' said Morgan. ``We played smart basketball. When you get to this point, it's the little things that count. Then the big things will take care of themselves.''
It is a mild surprise that Salem is in the regional tournament. The Spartans returned only Thomas and Beach, who had seen much playing time from last year.
``One of the goals for this team was to get to the region,'' said Morgan. ``Getting to this stage will help out for next year.''
WILLIAM BYRD (56)
English 3 1-3 7, Childress 7 6-7 20, Stump 5 2-2 12, Wilson 0 4-5 4, Edwards 0 0-0 0, Kendrick 0 0-2 0, Moran 1 0-0 3, Moberg 1 1-5 3, Bocock 1 0-0 2, Berry 1 0-0 2, Bailey 0 1-4 1, Thomas 1 0-0 2, Kniskern 0 0-2 0. Totals 20 15-30 56.
SALEM (83)
Lewis 5 0-0 10, Lazzaro 0 2-2 2, Grinnell 6 7-7 19, Beach 4 0-0 9, H.Thomas 5 6-6 19, Wooldridge 1 0-0 2, Helms 1 0-0 3, Millard 1 3-3 5, Hall 7 0-1 14, Richardson 0 0-2 0. Totals 30 18-21 83.
William Byrd 11--18---9--18-56
Salem 18--25--17--23-83
Three-point goals: Moran, H.Thomas 3, Beach, Helms. Team fouls: William Byrd 20, Salem 26. Fouled out: Grinnell.
LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ERIC BRADY/Staff. Salem's Kwam Lewis (rear) attempts toby CNBsteal the ball from William Byrd's Mayo Wilson on Friday.