ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 25, 1996 TAG: 9602260107
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
KATRINA WILLIAMS HELPS the Cougars break a jinx in tournament play
Anyone who wondered why Pulaski County guard Katrina Williams was chosen Roanoke Valley District girls' basketball player of the year received the answer Saturday.
The freshman guard threw more long scoring passes than Cougar football fans are used to seeing in a game as Pulaski County beat Cave Spring 63-42 for the RVD tournament championship.
The Cougars ended Cave Spring's run of eight consecutive district tournament titles. For once, the Cougars played well at the Salem Civic Center, a building where they traditionally have run afoul of Cave Spring in the championship game.
Both teams will be in the Northwest Region playoffs starting Tuesday. Pulaski County will play at home against the Western District champion and the Knights will be on the road.
Williams, a freshman, unleashed two length-of-the-court passes in the second half resulting in layups and scored a game-high 16 points to lead Pulaski County (17-6).
``We don't set that play up very much,'' Williams said.
``That's our press breaker,'' Pulaski County coach Buddy Farris said. ``If they don't deny it, we'll take it.''
Williams was the catalyst as Pulaski County took a 10-2 lead and kept stretching the margin. Williams hit five of nine shots from the field, had four assists and two steals.
More important was that, for once, the Salem Civic Center was no jinx for the Cougars.
``That's a superstition anyway,'' said Farris, a first-year coach.
Pulaski County's biggest lead in the first half came at 22-4 after a free throw by Mandy Sexton, who had 11 points. The Knights (14-8) worked their way back with a press and some timely free-throw shooting, but they never got closer than 10.
``It was ugly. My kids played ugly,'' Cave Spring coach Linda Long said. ``When you play ugly, you lose. We played in spurts, but we've done that all year. We have never played 32 minutes.''
Williams is amazed at her success, but not of that of the team.
``I didn't ever think they'd select a freshman as player of the year,'' she said. ``I think if we work hard, we can do well. We've already amazed people, but I think we can go on in the region and go to the state.''
This was Pulaski County's fourth victory in five games against the Knights. It was the largest margin, but Williams said it was more difficult than the score indicated.
``I figured it would be [close] like the others. I wouldn't say this was easy. We had to work for it.''
However, the Knights hit only 12 of 42 shots while Pulaski County was 21-of-48. The Cougars' defense came up with 11 steals as Lisa Skeens led with three in addition to 15 points.
``With a group of girls like this, it makes coaching fun. But a group of girls like this also makes you a good coach,'' Farris said.
Long said Williams wasn't the only Cougar who did her team in on this particular day.
``Katrina has done this to us for five games,'' Long said. ``She's going to get her 15 to 25 points. But you can't let their other kids have big games and we let two of them [Sexton and Skeens] do that.''
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ERIC BRADY/Staff. 1. Pulaski County's Katrina Williamsby CNB(12) puts up a shot in front of Cave Spring's Stacie Morioka (24)
during the Roanoke Valley District tournament championship game
Saturday. color. 2. Pulaski County's Sharmon Underwood (center)
keeps the ball away from Cave Spring defenders Mandy Warsaw (left)
and Amber Neal on Saturday at the Salem Civic Center.