Fog and drizzle outside didn't stop the fireworks inside Lynchburg College's Turner Gym, as top-seeded Carlisle used a balanced attack and a stifling zone defense to eliminate Timberlake Christian 69-60 in the VIC Tournament semifinals. The Chiefs jumped out to an early 6-0 lead and never trailed. Timberlake stayed in the fight behind six three-pointers of its own, with Paul Fitzgerald leading all Tornadoes scorers with 19 points and Jason Spear adding 14. Steve Glass found room inside as Carlisle's defense collapsed on the guards, finishing with 14 points. Carlisle's Bryant Redd led all scorers with 22 points, capped by three highlight-reel dunks, while Chad Martin scored 18 and Lamont Franklin 12. The win sent Carlisle into the tournament championship game.

By Karl Loos, Special Correspondent
The News & Advance