ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 29, 1996 TAG: 9602290045
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: CHAD WILLIS STAFF WRITER
Just one month ago, the Christiansburg High School basketball team looked to be the irresistible force in the New River District and Region IV, steamrolling its way to its second straight Group AA state tournament bid.
Then the Blue Demons ran into a series of immovable objects - cancellations because of heavy snow, the ineligibility of all-district forward Darrell Calloway and the improved play of New River rival Blacksburg - that sidetracked the red-hot Christiansburg team.
"We've had to make some adjustments lately," Blue Demon senior guard Brian Porter said.
Calloway's ineligible status might be perceived as the team's biggest loss, but according to Porter, it was Christiansburg's loss to Blacksburg in the New River tournament finals that stands as their biggest defeat.
"We learned from the loss to Blacksburg that if we don't come to play, we can't beat anyone," Porter said. "We know going into regionals that we have to come out and play hard every game."
The Blue Demons, by virtue of the New River regular season championship, will make a return appearance in the Region IV playoffs today. They'll play the winner of the Graham-Virginia High matchup for the right to advance to the state tournament.
"The team was in the state playoffs last year, so they know what it's all about," Blue Demons coach Gerald Thompson said. "When you get to this level everyone expects to win. Our guys have been a little laid back because they made it last year. Now is the time to step it up because the game is going to be played on the floor."
Thompson said the three teams match up well; no one has a clear advantage.
"You can flip a coin between the three of us, we're that close," Thompson said. "I think Virginia High beat Graham by two points their first game, then Graham turned around and beat them by three.
"Graham is a little bigger team, but Virginia High is quicker. Each one can cause their own unique set of problems for you. But we feel we can cause problems for them as well."
Both Graham and Virginia High have been known to use a trapping zone defense. Couple that with the Blue Demons' recent perimeter woes, and Christiansburg may have a problem.
"Our outside game has struggled a little lately, but since we lost Darrell, we've been going inside a lot more lately," Thompson said. "Mike Kazee (center) and Carlton Ashbrook (forward) are playing really well right now. We need to continue to get the ball inside, and try to get some balance with the outside game."
An advantage Christiansburg enjoys in this year's regional playoffs lies in the brackets themselves. The Blue Demons need to win just one game to make the state tournament.
"We just need to remain focused on that one game," Porter said. "We can't look ahead, because without that win, we're not going anywhere. Being a senior, I want to go back to the state tournament again, and I know it's a goal for this team."
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