ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 25, 1996 TAG: 9602260114
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
Charles Burnette may be William Fleming's most underrated athletic talent.
He's better known for football as a quarterback, defensive back and, as a sophomore, a Sizzlin' Sophomore receiver.
Now the junior forward can add Roanoke Valley District boys' basketball tournament most valuable player to his list of accomplishments.
While Burnette had a great tournament, it was his steal and length-of-the-court sprint for a layup with 1:27 remaining that virtually locked up Fleming's 52-44 championship victory Saturday over Patrick Henry at the Salem Civic Center.
This victory was more than just a district championship. By winning, Fleming (16-6) has the easiest path to the Group AAA tournament.
The Colonels get a pair of home games in the Northwest Region as long as they win, beginning Tuesday against Halifax County.
More important, Fleming is not in the same bracket as unbeaten G.W. Danville, the state's No.1 team. PH (13-9) has to contend with the high-flying Eagles by playing in Danville on Tuesday night.
Burnette led Fleming with 15 points while James Stokes, the regular-season RVD player of the year, pulled in 14 rebounds - eight in the final quarter.
Defensively, Burnette played PH's Brooks Berry, who got 14 points, while Stokes hounded sophomore sensation Boo Battle and held the Patriots scoring leader to 10 points.
Still, it was the steal and layup that counted the most.
``I saw it [the ball]. I knew if I made the layup, we'd be district champs,'' said Burnette.
``It seemed like it took me forever to get down court. I know I had butterflies, so I had to go up strong.''
Just 10 days ago, PH had rallied from 16 points behind to beat William Fleming, giving the Colonels their only regular-season district loss.
Fleming never got as big a lead Saturday, but the Colonels did go on a 14-0 run in the second quarter fueled by R.J. Reynolds, who hit a pair of 3-point shots.
That put Fleming ahead 24-12, but PH started charging back. It was a nine-point game at the half and the Patriots went on an 8-3 spurt to end the third quarter trailing only 34-31.
``We knew they'd make a run,'' said Fleming coach Marshall Ashford. ``I told the kids to relax and play. That there are several runs in each game and we wanted to stay strong.''
The relentless Patriots continued to surge. Berry's layup tied the score 36-all and PH grabbed its first lead on Battle's tip-in with 6:02 left that made it 38-37.
The Patriots were up by two on a Battle free throw, but Burnette tied the score 39-all with 5:23 left on a short jump shot.
``We couldn't get the ball with the lead [except for Battle's free throw],'' said PH coach Woody Deans. ``If we had, we'd have probably spread the floor and been more patient.''
Brad Dunleavy, who hit two big baskets in the final quarter, put Fleming ahead with a short jumper, but the Patriots' Ronnie Kasey, who was magnificent with nine assists, made his only field goal to tie the score with 3:28 left.
Then came Burnette again. His two free throws with 3:13 left put the Colonels ahead for good. After Kasey missed a 3-point attempt, Burnette made two more free throws for a 47-43 lead, setting up the steal and the layup.
``Burnette hit those key free throws and they rebounded so physically,'' said Deans, whose club was beaten 32-25 on the boards.
Neither team shot that well and both started slowly. There were only two points scored in the opening four minutes. Fleming hit 21-of-47 from the floor compared to 16-of-42 for PH.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 71 linesby CNB