ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 28, 1996 TAG: 9602280102
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: DANVILLE
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
Woody Deans began the rest of his life Tuesday night.
Certainly, there are better ways Deans could have ended his distinguished career as the Patrick Henry boys' basketball coach than by being drubbed 85-47 at George Washington-Danville in a Northwest Region first-round game. Then again, it's rare that a coach goes out in a blaze of glory.
John Wooden did it at UCLA. So did Al McGuire at Marquette. Both won NCAA championships in their final games as bench bosses.
All along, Deans, who announced at midseason that this would be his last season behind the bench, preferred not to think about how it would end.
``It probably hasn't set in yet,'' Deans said. ``I really didn't think all night about it being over. Then, reality set in.''
Did it ever. The Patriots went to tobacco country and got smoked. The Eagles, the state's top-ranked Group AAA squad, scored the game's first 15 points and never were seriously threatened.
Patrick Henry cut its deficit to nine points in the second quarter, but never got closer than 17 in the second half.
``They were the better team,'' said Boo Battle, who scored a game-high 22 points off the bench and was one of the few bright spots for the Patriots. ``They were just good. They should win the state.''
Perhaps the reason fate did not script a better finish for Deans is because GW-Danville coach Harry Johnson needs it. Johnson - who has said this is his last season, too - is seeking his first state title in 24 years on the Eagles' bench, the past 19 as head coach.
``I'm sorry to see Woody get out,'' Johnson said. ``Well, tonight I'm not so sorry.
``Woody Deans and Burrall Paye are great competitors,'' he added mentioning the longtime William Fleming coach, who stepped down in midseason. ``During the game, we'll go after each other, but after the game, we might have a Coke.''
The loss was No.100 in Deans' 13-year tenure at PH to go with 213 victories.
Tuesday's defeat is not how Deans would like to be remembered, nor will it be. A man who won Group AAA titles in 1988 and 1992 and turned out players such as George Lynch, Curtis Staples, Curtis Blair, Troy Manns, Percy Covington, Tim Basham and Russell Turner - each of whom played or still plays collegiately. Lynch was on North Carolina's 1993 NCAA championship team and is with the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers.
``I won't remember this one very long,'' said Deans, who has received calls and letters from some former players, including Covington, Blair and Turner. ``I'll remember the highlights. When you leave something and look back, you remember the good times and the good people and good players.''
He could have used some of those former standouts Tuesday against the high-flying Eagles. Deans' 13-year career spanned 313 games, but it was really over after 3121/2.
Patrick Henry (13-10) was hounded relentlessly by GW's man-to-man pressure and committed 17 turnovers by halftime, when it trailed 40-22.
The Eagles (20-0), who play Woodbridge on Thursday in a regional semifinal, were led by Tyrone Robertson's 16 points. Bobby Wimbush had 12, Nathan Poole added 11 and Lamont Stephens 10.
Defensively, GW forced 30 turnovers and held senior swingman Brooks Berry to three points.
``I'm sorry it had to end this way,'' Berry said. ``It's a shame Coach Deans had to end his career like that. Like he said, only one team can go out with a win.''
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 69 linesby CNB