ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 27, 1997 TAG: 9702270028
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
The high school basketball season gets down to the nitty-gritty the next two nights as Timesland teams try to earn an invitation to the state tournament.
The William Fleming boys have the toughest assignment as they play host to defending Group AAA champion George Washington-Danville tonight in the Northwest Region semifinals.
The Colonels (18-5) hope to make the state tournament for the third time in four years. To do that, they'll have to end a five-game losing streak to the Eagles that includes two losses in regular-season games this season.
In Dublin, the Pulaski County girls (21-1) face G.W.-Danville in another Northwest Region semifinal. The Cougars are hoping to make the state for the second consecutive year.
At Martinsville, the Bulldogs (15-7) face Virginia High School in a Region IV contest with a trip to the Group AA tournament on the line.
All three games start at 7 p.m.
Friday, doubleheaders at the Salem Civic Center (Region III) and Dedmon Center in Radford (Region C) will settle four more state tournament spots.
In Salem, Blue Ridge District regular-season champion Salem (17-8) takes on William Campbell of the Dogwood District in one semifinal at 6 p.m. Defending Group AA champion Liberty (22-1) meets Gretna at 7:30 in the other semifinal.
In Radford, at least two teams in Timesland will get berths in the Group A tournament. Floyd County (22-2) battles Grayson County (17-6) at 6:30 p.m. The Buffaloes beat Grayson County earlier this season in a holiday tournament. Glenvar (14-10) goes for its third consecutive trip to the state against Parry McCluer (20-2). The Fighting Blues beat the Highlanders twice during the regular season.
Glenvar will be without its second-leading scorer, Chris Evans, who received two technical fouls when the Highlanders defeated George Wythe 56-52 in a first-round game Tuesday. By VHSL rules, he'll have to sit out the next game and it will be his second game missed because of a suspension this season.
LENGTH: Short : 45 linesby CNB