ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, February 1, 1997 TAG: 9702030108
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: DUBLIN
SOURCE: ANGIE WATTS STAFF WRITER
With a tape recording of the national anthem bursting over the loud speakers, players for Pulaski County and Cave Spring turned to face the American flag hanging on the wall. What they likely focused on, however, was the banner on the same wall proclaiming the Cougars as the 1996 Roanoke Valley District girls' basketball champions.
A victory over Cave Spring would virtually wrap up the district title for Pulaski County. A loss would leave the teams tied for first place.
"We all knew this was an important ball game," Pulaski County coach Buddy Farris said.
"We knew it could mean the Roanoke Valley District title, and we knew Cave Spring was going to be ready."
The Knights were ready, or so it seemed, to pull off the upset on the Cougars' home floor. But Pulaski County had different plans.
Trailing 32-27 at halftime, the Cougars (13-1 overall, 5-0 RVD) dominated the second half and cruised to a 60-48 victory.
"When you score just one point in the entire third quarter and a total of 16 points in the second half you're not going to beat corpses," said Cave Spring coach Linda Long.
"In the first half we had 11 girls playing with a high level of confidence. In the second half we played with fear ... we played not to lose.
"I've played this game and coached this game long enough to know you've got to play to win. We didn't do that."
Senior Robyn Bower got the Cougars rolling in the third quarter with an easy layup to cut the Knights lead to 32-29 with 6:19 on the clock.
Several missed free throws could have extended Cave Spring's lead, but instead the Knights (13-4, 3-2) hit just 1-of-6 from the line in the third quarter, opening the door for the Cougars.
A driving layup from sophomore standout Katrina Williams with 3:20 left in the third gave Pulaski County a 35-33 lead, its first since midway through the first quarter. The Cougars never looked back.
"We got shook in the first half and got away from our game plan," Farris said. "The second half we settled down and we played better defense. We were hoping it would snowball and it did."
Long said the Knights' strategy was to keep the Cougars out of sync offensively by frequently changing defensive schemes. The plan worked for Cave Spring in the first half, but collapsed in the second.
"All of our defensive switches were being made on our made baskets," Long explained. "So when we quit scoring in the third quarter we couldn't switch up our defenses."
Seconds after her layup gave Pulaski County the lead, Williams went down clutching her right ankle.
With their leading scorer in the locker room, the Cougars began to slow the tempo. Lindsey Reed's jumper inside the paint for Pulaski County was the only other score of the quarter for either team.
Williams returned in the fourth quarter to score nine of her game-high 18 points. Senior Mandy Sexton added 10.
"Trina's been having trouble with this ankle for a while," Farris said. "We'll keep it taped up and hopefully get it healed."
Junior guard Amber Neil led Cave Spring with nine points. Junior Amy Causey and senior Catie Redick each added eight.
"Cave Spring is an awful good team," Farris said.
"We've been fortunate to beat them twice this year, but I expect we'll see each other at least once or twice more ... and I look for it to be barn burners both times." NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 70 linesby CNB