Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 15, 1990 TAG: 9003162377
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N10 EDITION: NORTH
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
In the first case, the answer is possibly. In the second case, the answer is not likely.
The Knights appear to have enough returning strength to make another run at a Group AAA Northwestern Region crown. Even if it doesn't win the region, Cave Spring can make it back to the state finals because the Virginia High School League has expanded all state tournaments to include regional runners-up.
Jefferson Forest lost nearly the entire team that, for the last two years, has terrorized Group AA ranks. The Cavaliers were 46-6 during that span and won the 1988 Group AA crown over York before losing to the same team last spring.
Cave Spring coach Roger White, whose rookie season was about as good as anyone could want, said keeping his pitching staff healthy will help his team be successful this year.
Mark Hazelwood, who was 7-2 with a 1.96 earned run average last year, returns to team with Keith Spicer (1-0, 2.85) on the mound. Lenny Navitskis moves up from the junior varsity where he was 5-1.
"We must get the good senior leadership we had a year ago," White said. That means someone has to replace Chad Beagle and Billy Terry, the premier players in the Knights' program. Beagle (6-1, 1.15) was the top pitcher for Cave Spring while Terry made second-team All-Timesland in the infield.
"The big thing is that we came together as a group last year," said White. "We played together as a team."
Jim Thacker characterizes the Jefferson Forest situation as "lots of new faces in new places."
Tradition must carry Jefferson Forest through rebuilding. It'll be a lot like the old New York Yankees, who frequently stayed in pennant races with less talent because there was a mystique about slipping on their pin-striped uniforms.
If Jefferson Forest falters, look for Liberty to replace the Cavaliers as a Bedford County team with high expectations. "We should have a good team and if we play together should win a majority of our games," said Liberty coach Jim Cutler.
Liberty's problem is that the Seminole District ranks as one of the state's toughest Group AA leagues.
A look at each team:
\ BEREAN CHRISTIAN - Coach Jim Farmer's team didn't win a game, but eight starters return including top pitcher Jeremy Weddle. He was sidelined by an injury most of last year. The best hitter is catcher Rodney Burnette (.350).
\ CAVE SPRING - Jason St. Clair (.348) in right field, Tom Nelson (.349) at second and Jason Shafer (.362) in left field and center field give the Knights plenty of offensive punch. Shafer will supply some power. Dee Dalton (.336) is a good glove man back at short, and Mike Fayed (.346) will move from designated hitter into an outfield spot.
Sophomore Mark Schwartz should supply some power at first. Spicer will play at third when he's not pitching.
\ CRAIG COUNTY - Last spring, coach Gordon Johnston coached Peterstown, W.Va., to that state's Group A championship. He took the football job at Craig and is also the baseball coach. Craig Hannah and Mike Jones return at pitcher for a team that went 6-11. Hannah also will be at either short or center field. Eight players return, though only six are starters. Chad Johnston, the coach's son, will be new, but the sophomore was a standout in football and basketball this year for the Rockets.
\ FRANKLIN COUNTY - The team is headed by designated hitter Chad France (.564), who was second team All-Timesland. The Eagles have four starters back to reverse what was an unusual losing year (6-11) for the program.
"Last year we had players getting hurt. We never did have the same lineup two games in a row. I think we'll be better than we were last year," said coach Mason Ligon. Center fielder Greg Sigmon looks like a good hitter while Terry Arrington will be a good stick at designated hitter and infield. France will move to the outfield.
\ GLENVAR - The Highlanders return five veterans led by first baseman Chad Willis (.312), third baseman Sean Grinnell (.291) and shortstop Chris Graham (.280). Graham and Grinnell are the returning pitchers, who between them were 5-8 with earned run averages under 3.00. Defense and depth are the biggest question marks, but the Highlanders figure to compete among the Pioneer District leaders.
\ JAMES RIVER - The Knights won only three games a year ago, but Brian Sink and Doug Mundy, the main pitchers, are back. They'll get help from Wendell Childress and George Thompson, two seniors who are coming out for the first time. Mundy (.370) is the best returning hitter and will play in left field when he's not pitching.
\ JEFFERSON FOREST - The only player who has statistics that look worthy of a Group AA contender are outfielder Reed Cooper (.362), who had three homers, 41 RBI and 11 stolen bases. The only other returning letterman is J.R. Burke (.200) at short. The top newcomers are second baseman Kenny Clubb, centerfielder Jeff Jenkins and first baseman Barrett Bryant.
\ LIBERTY - All-Timesland outfielder Keith Coles (.435), an outfielder, is one of six veteran players back. The Minutemen gave Jefferson Forest a tough game in the Seminole District tournament. Other hitting will come from outfielder Mike Norton (.435), catcher Mike Jarrell (.400) and first baseman Ricky Baldwin (.389). Coles also was 6-4 with a 2.10 earned run average as a pitcher. Liberty has all its pitchers and top four hitters back from last year.
\ LORD BOTETOURT - The Cavaliers return seven players including third baseman Greg Brumfield (.308), who had four homers and 13 RBI. Brumfield (2-1, 2.94) is also top returning pitcher. Scot Davis (.323) at short, Chuck Livengood (.304) in left field and Troy Cox (.300) in right field are other hitters who saw a lot of action. Hitting and speed seem to be Botetourt's strengths.
\ NORTH CROSS - Mark Shaver (4-4, 3.19) is back at pitcher, while Jason Beheler (.434) at catcher supplies plenty of punch. Ryan Shaver returns at second base, but after that it will be newcomers who carry the Raiders.
\ NORTHSIDE - The Vikings have Bobby Foster (.512), one of the top hitters in the Blue Ridge District, at third. Mickey Catron (.347) in the outfield is also a good stick. John Baker and Eric Roberts, the main pitchers, are both back along with newcomer Lewis Conner. The team doesn't have a lot of speed, but the infield should improve over last spring.
\ PATRICK HENRY - Left-hander Kevin Gabbert (5-2, 2.50) makes the Patriots a title contender and a threat to Cave Spring's dominance. The best returning hitter is third baseman Barry Shelton (.300). Ted Lamar (.290) at catcher gives what Coach Dave Nelson said is the top battery in the district. Other than that, the Patriots are virtually inexperienced.
\ ROANOKE VALLEY CHRISTIAN - Jerry Burks, Mike Hurt and Chris Taylor head a pitching staff that Eagles coach Edgar Moser can use to replace Kevin Camper, who worked nine of the team's 14 games last year. Third baseman Michael Hurt hit .650 in limited appearances. The only other returning hitters of note are outfielders Jason Suhr (.333) and Jerry Burks (.278).
\ SALEM - Salem returns eight letterman under new coach John Hinkle. Catcher Eric Smith (.402, four home runs), first baseman Chad Wheeling (.280), left fielder Greg Smith (.300) and second baseman Todd Brown (.298) are the Spartans' top hitters. There are six returning starters, but the left side of the infield will be new. The top returning pitcher is Chris Morris (3-5). Corey Epperly, Timesland's leading base stealer at Shawsville a year ago, has moved and is eligible to play at short.
\ STAUNTON RIVER - Brian Divers, a do-everything-type player, heads Staunton River. He hit .294 a year ago while going 4-2 with a 1.47 earned run average as a pitcher. Other hitting help comes from catcher Mark McKee (.360) and middle infielder Tony Huddleston (.367).
\ WILLIAM BYRD - Terriers return six players who saw a lot of action last year, including All Blue Ridge District Kevin Adams (.339), who will play second base. Adams also stole 11 bases. Matt Graybill (6-4, 2.75) gives Byrd a top pitcher. The Terriers will get offense from catcher-designated hitter Jeff Jones (.333), first baseman Brian Young (.320) and infielder Scott Carter (.314) who had a school record 24 walks. The pitching is inexperienced behind Graybill, but Byrd has a good sophomore class and should contend this year.
\ WILLIAM FLEMING - Five starters return. Catcher Kevin Ringley (.300) is the top hitter, but there is no experienced pitching. Tommy Page (.250) played only five games in the outfield before sitting out the year with illness. This is a very young team.
by CNB