ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, March 14, 1997 TAG: 9703140065
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: LYNCHBURG
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM THE ROANOKE TIMES
Travis Cantrell's 36 points send Floyd County into the Group A final.
Glenvar tried everything and nothing worked against Floyd County junior Travis Cantrell.
The Buffaloes' guard did just about everything he wanted to do Thursday as he shot the Highlanders out of the Group A basketball tournament with his second straight 36-point performance.
Floyd County (25-3) needed just about every one of his points as it held off the Highlanders 65-58 to advance to the state championship game Saturday against Surry County, which destroyed Washington & Lee-Montross 93-58.
The championship game will be played at 1 p.m. and match the second (Floyd County) and third-ranked (Surry County) teams in the final Associated Press basketball poll.
This was the fifth game between the two Three Rivers District rivals. The Buffaloes won both regular-season contests to take the championship, but lost by close scores in the district and regional tournament title games.
``We tried to contain [Cantrell] all night,'' said a frustrated Glenvar coach Art Lawrence. ``We trapped him, double-teamed him and even tackled him one time.''
Cantrell, who destroyed Haysi with 36 points in a first-round victory, nailed 13 consecutive free throws and hit 10 of 21 shots from the floor.
``This is a great feeling,'' Cantrell said. ``We were so excited after the game, but we didn't get that excited because we've got one more game.''
Glenvar's Josh Williamson, who beat out Cantrell for Three Rivers District Player of the Year, closed his career with a 20-point performance. He also added 10 rebounds.
``Some of those shots he hit made you turn your head,'' said Williamson of Cantrell. ``But it's ones he's been hitting all year.''
Floyd County forged a 16-10 lead near the end of the first quarter, but the Highlanders (17-11) fought back. Three times, Glenvar tied the score, the last deadlock coming when Donnie Wimmer's 3-point goal made it 35-35 with 4:06 left in the third quarter.
Cantrell came right back with an eight-foot leaner that put the Buffaloes ahead for good.
``He'd take those leaners and other difficult shots,'' Lawrence said. ``The thing is he squares his shoulders so well.''
After Cantrell put Floyd County ahead for good, the Buffaloes started opening leads of 10 or more points. It was 49-37 near the end of the third quarter, but the Highlanders came roaring back to 54-49 on a Williamson layup with 5:24 left.
``We made those runs, but they always came back with big plays,'' Lawrence said.
This time, Bryan Dalton nailed a 3-pointer from the corner for Floyd County and Cantrell added yet another 3-pointer moments later.
Glenvar wasn't finished. Twice, the Highlanders had close shots blocked by Floyd County center Dereck Saunders. Had they both gone in, it would have trimmed the Buffaloes' lead to 61-58.
``I wasn't even thinking. I was just trying to do what I had to do to win the game,'' said Saunders.
The Highlanders also were plagued by foul problems as playmaker Bryan Fasnacht fouled out after scoring a career-high 13 points.
Glenvar played an up tempo game this time, which is what Floyd County likes.
``I told the team that I might have cost them the Region C game [against Glenvar] because I told them to slow it down and get it inside,'' said Floyd County coach Alan Cantrell. ``Tonight we wanted to play fast, play Floyd County basketball.''
Lawrence admitted the pace hurt. ``But when you're behind, that forces you to play at a faster pace,'' he added. NOTE: please see microfilm for text
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: DON PETERSEN THE ROANOKE TIMES. Floyd County's Allenby CNBUnderwood (right) keeps the ball away from Glenvar's Hunter Allen.
color.