Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Staunton River nears crown
The Golden Eagles need two wins in three games to win the Blue Ridge District title.
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MONETA -- Larceny was committed Tuesday night at Staunton River High School.
The suspects were all in plain sight.
Staunton River's girls basketball team stole everything that wasn't nailed down, swiping the ball from visiting Lord Botetourt 22 times en route to a 50-34 victory that moved the Golden Eagles a step closer to the Blue Ridge District title.
Staunton River (17-1, 5-0) forced 32 turnovers including 15 in the third quarter when the Eagles turned a 21-17 halftime deficit into a 38-30 lead.
Laquaksha Robinson and sophomore Jodi Salyer combined for 15 steals as Staunton River's defense frustrated Botetourt (7-11, 3-2) for its second victory over the Cavaliers this season.
"They did that the first time," Botetourt coach Chuck Pound said. "They're going to press you and trap you and keep coming after you every possession. They did a great job. I don't know how many shots we got off in the second half, but it wasn't many.
"The only other team we see that from is Salem. And we've struggled handling the ball all year and it just gets magnified in a game like this."
Staunton River struggled periodically in its half-court offense, but it did not matter. Robinson and Salyer converted several steals into layups.
Robinson broke a third-quarter tie with a steal, layup and ensuing free throw that put Staunton River ahead for good at 31-28. Meanwhile, Botetourt scored just one bucket in a span of 19 possessions as the Eagles blew out to a 50-30 lead with five minutes to play.
Robinson finished with team highs of 14 points and nine steals.
"I usually steal that many and score off them if I focus," Robinson said. "I think I like defense."
Staunton River's opponents generally do not share that sentiment when they see the Eagles swooping all over the court.
"They're scared, especially with Laquaksha and those lengthy arms," Salyer said.
Salyer added 12 points and six steals. Brittany Robinson finished with 10 points, all in the second half. Forward Amy Salyer added eight points and a team-high six rebounds.
Staunton River coach Kim Jones often practices her pressing defenses against players from the boys JV team.
"We've used some of our JV boys and worked on our press," Jones said. "We haven't gotten our varsity boys out here because there might be blood on the court."
Botetourt trailed 34-30 late in the third quarter when Ashlie Caldwell was whistled for an intentional foul. Pound drew a rare technical foul in the fourth quarter, prompting an outburst from Botetourt fans that forced two Bedford County sheriff's deputies to position themselves behind the scorer's table.
Pound had nothing but praise for Staunton River, which moved to the Blue Ridge this year after winning the Seminole District crown in 2008-09.
Two victories in the final three games would clinch the Blue Ridge for the Golden Eagles.
"Give them credit," the Botetourt coach said. "They took us out of everything. My pick was them to win it from the start as soon as I knew they were coming in," Pound said.
"Tonight they played like one of the best teams around here."
LORD BOTETOURT (7-11, 3-2)
Ward 1 4-4 7, Lewis 1 0-2 2, Lyle 2 1-4 5, Farmer 3 1-4 9, Tyree 1 1-3 3, Caldwell 1 0-0 2, Clark 0 0-2 0, Van Ravestein 1 0-0 3, Wampler 0 1-2 1, Sandoval 0 0-0 0, Cary 1 0-0 2, Chrisman 0 0-0 0. Totals 11 8-18 34.
STAUNTON RIVER (17-1, 5-0)
Merrill 2 1-2 6, A.Salyer 3 2-2 8, L.Robinson 5 4-9 14, J.Salyer 3 6-8 12, Mayhew 0 0-0 0, B.Robinson 4 2-4 10, Linkous 0 0-0 0, Holdren 0 0-0 0, Tuck 0 0-0 0. Totals 17 15-25 50.
Lord Botetourt 6 15 9 4 -- 34
Staunton River 11 6 21 12 -- 50
3-point-goals -- Lord Botetourt 4 (Farmer 2, Van Ravestein, Ward), Staunton River 1 (Merrill). Total fouls -- Lord Botetourt 18, Staunton River 17. Fouled out -- none. Technical foul -- Lord Botetourt coach Pound.
JV -- Lord Botetourt, 42-25.
