Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 28, 1994 TAG: 9408300004
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The Bobcats are in a newly-created district in a lower classification - the Group A Three Rivers District.
A 1981 graduate of Floyd County High School, King now can't go home without being seen as the competition. Radford and Floyd County are in the TRD - and the Buffaloes are the defending Group A state champions.
The natural cycle of athletes has brought a collection of untested but talented "gym rats" to Radford. The eventual cycle of coaching changes has brought the first changes to King's staff since she became head coach six/seven years ago.
And to top it all off, King and her husband Danny are expecting the birth of their second child sometime around the beginning of the season. Their son Jared, now 4, is already a familiar sight around Bobcat practices and games.
"I've been waiting for this season for nine months, that's why I'm so excited," said King. "I'm excited about starting fresh [in Group A]. And we've got some momentum from last year."
In its last year in Group AA, the Bobcats missed the regionals for the first time since 1985. But after dropping their first eight games, they won eight of their last 13 games and finished 8-13.
Much of that momentum last season was supplied by players who will be back for Radford. Charlee Taylor, a 5-foot-5 sophomore, averaged 13.4 points per game (ppg). Meanwhile, the inside game will benefit from the experence of 6-0 senior Shannon Bragg (3.8 ppg, 6.1 rebounds), 5-10 senior Melissa Carden (3 ppg, 5 rebounds) and 5-8 junior Crystal Hubbard (3.5 ppg).
However, despite the returning players, the Bobcats will have a young and somewhat inexperienced back court.
King also has everything in place to prepare for both basketball and the new baby. King has been coaching practice from a chair, with rollers so she can roam the court, as the baby's birth draws near. Wayne Pridgen, who had been the junior varsity coach, takes over as the varsity assistant since he knows the system and will be in charge when King is absent. Carolyn Kimbleton, who coached at Roanoke Catholic, will take over the jayvee squad.
King also has taken a semester off from teaching to concentrate on the new baby and the Bobcats' new league.
But there are four other teams in the league who want to make one of King's arrival into Group A as difficult as possible.
The most prominent of that group is Floyd County. That's where King played her high school sports. That's where her sister Linda King has coached and still lives. And that's the home of the defending Group A state champion Buffaloes.
"With the people we have back, we're going to have a lot of experience and we should be very competitive," said Floyd County coach Alan Cantrell. "For us to go farther than the regular season, even though we've got a lot of players back, some of the younger players are going to have to step up and adjust to the tempo of varsity and contribute."
Last year, the Buffaloes came at people in waves and went 29-1. Eight players - about 11/2 waves - are back, including four who saw considerable playing time.
Leigh-Ann Pursifull, a 5-9 senior forward, and Melissa Cantrell, a 5-7 junior point guard, both started last season. Carrie Chaffin, a 6-1 senior post, and Laura Harman, a 5-10 senior post, were the first two players off the bench for the Buffaloes.
Pursifull, Cantrell and Chaffin each averaged about 10 points while Harman added 8. Cantrell averaged 3 assists per game while Chaffin pulled down 7 rebounds.
While the Buffaloes are quick and experienced, they don't yet have the depth or the defensive intensity of a year ago.
Another team in the TRD is Shawsville. It has four seniors back from the squad that reached the regional semifinals last year and finished 16-9.
"It's a whole different ball game this year," said Shawsville coach Tracy Poff. "The girls are hungry. They know what success tastes like. They're hungry for more. And they work a lot more when they are hungry."
Three of the returnees started: 5-1 point guard Brandy Alexander (8.4 ppg, 4.3 rebounds, 3 assists), 5-3 guard Sandy Burdette (5.6 ppg, 3.6 rebounds) and 5-6 forward Robin Burdette (9.3 ppg, 10 rebounds). The fourth player back was the Shawnees top substitute, 5-5 forward Vanessa Wilson (4.3 ppg, 4 rebounds).
The Shawnees will be quick and experienced. But a lack of depth and height - they have only nine players on varsity and none over 5-7 - could hurt them.
Giles (7-15) could be the surprise team of the Three Rivers. Seven players return, including the big three of Heather Wilburn, Gina Claytor and Tomika Saunders.
The trio averaged 27 points and nearly 20 rebounds per game. Wilburn (9 ppg, 4 rebounds, 3.5 assists), a 5-7 senior guard, provided the most offense. Saunders (8.5 ppg, 8 rebounds), a 5-10 senior forward, crashed the boards hard. And Claytor (9 ppg, 7.8 rebounds), a 5-11 junior center, did both well.
The other team in the district will also be full of experience. Auburn (12-9) has six returnees, including three starters. And they are all seniors.
Leading the list of players back are 5-11 forward Lori Lyons (11.1 ppg, 8.6 rebounds), 5-9 center Renay Gardner (8.3 ppg, 8.3 rebounds) and 5-6 guard Sherry Smith (8.6 ppg, 4.4 assists, 4 rebounds).
The other districts in the area - the Mountain Empire, the Semiole, the Hogoheegee and the Piedmont - also feature close races.
nIn the Mountain Empire District, the move of Floyd County and Shawsville to the newly-formed Three Rivers means two different teams will advance to the Group A Region A tournament.
Galax (12-9) finished third in the Mountain Empire last year before it split. And the Maroon Tide have been labeled the team to beat in the new, smaller version of the district.
Two of the reasons the coaches are picking Galax are 5-10 senior post Jaclyn Dickens (17 ppg, 8.9 rebounds) and 5-10 junior post Tammy Cox 15.2 ppg, 10.7 rebounds). A pair of junior guards, 5-6 Annie Hart and 5-5 Candi Owens, give the Maroon Tide four experienced returnees.
"If everything comes together and barring injury, we really should be strong," said coach Ken Ross, who has coached the Galax boys for 22 years but it starting his first season as the girls' coach. "We've got a very strong group of girls. And in Jaclyn and Tammy, those are two girls who can take you a long ways.
The battle for the rest of the positions in the district gets very interesting.
Narrows (11-11) lost its two top players to graduation. But it still brings back some offensive firepower. Sophomore 5-9 forward Suzanne Webb (12 ppg) has matured. Junior 5-8 point guard Melissa Lawrence (8 ppg, 7.1 assists) was among the leaders in Timesland in assists. Senior 5-9 center Meredith Lucas will patrol the inside.
"I don't know what to expect of this team," said coach Todd Lusk. "I know we could be a good team this year. We're optimistic and have confidence."
Fort Chiswell (10-12) will be the tallest team in the district with four girls 5-10 or taller. The tallest and most experienced of the inside players is 6-0 senior Jenny Porter (3.5 ppg). Other top returnees include 5-7 senior wing Trish Stuart (7.5 ppg) and 5-7 senior guard Amy Lyons (5.5 ppg).
Rocky Gap (12-11) has four players back and should be quick and strong. Toping the list of those returning are 5-6 senior swing player Nancy Tupper (16 ppg, 6 rebounds) and 5-8 sophomore forward Amanda Clark (11 ppg, 8.5 rebounds). Also back are 5-9 senior center Angel Garcia (2 ppg, 6 rebounds) and 5-3 senior guard Holly Boone (4 ppg, 1.5 assists).
Grayson County (3-18) has eight players back but remains a young team. Guard play will be its strength as three juniors are the top returnings scorers: 5-3 Shelly Osborne (6.2 ppg), Micki Young (4.6 ppg) and 5-5 Tammy Hackler (3.4 ppg).
Bland (0-21) also faces a rebuilding year. Its building blocks include 5-8 junior center Pachess Umbarger (5 ppg, 8.5 rebounds), 5-8 forward Amie Goss (2 ppg, 5 rebounds) and 5-4 sophomore point guard Amy Hanshew (2 ppg, 2 assists).
nIn the Seminole District, Staunton River is the defending district and Group AA Region III champion, Liberty brings back four starters, Brookville is always tough and went to the regionals last year and William Campbell returns the district player of the year, 6-0 senior forward Hope Cook.
Staunton River (23-3) has just three players back as it looks for a repeat of its magical 1993 season that brought the school the regional crown.
Heading the list of returnees is 5-8 senior forward Courtney Hurd, who averaged in double figures in both points and rebounds (10 ppg, 10 rebounds). Two 5-7 guards are also back, senior Deena Mitchell (8 ppg, 6 rebounds) and junior Missy Foxx (6 ppg, 3 rebounds).
While they will provide leadship, several players moving up from the junior varsity must make an impact for Staunton River to return to the regionals.
"If some of the younger players step forward as they become accustomed to varsity play, we're going to be real tough," said first-year coach Tom Karnes. "The girls are getting tougher each day. ... Right now it is just a process of putting everything together. When it gels is anybody's guess."
Liberty (16-6) has the experience and the size to be a district favorite. Returning to power the offense are 5-8 sophomore forward Sue Lynn Cowlbeck (10.8 ppg, 9.7 rebounds), 5-6 junior guard Kellea Whorley (10 ppg) and 5-8 junior forward Felicia Miller (9.7 ppg, 5.3 rebounds).
Proving leadership will be seniors Amy Baxter (8.2 ppg), a 5-3 guard, and Shannon Jurkus (5.6 ppg), a 5-7 forward.
Because of its balance, Liberty lacks an established scorer. But that's about it.
"I think we'll be there," said coach David Grant. "If we rebound well and stay out of foul trouble in tough games, we're going to be hard to beat. We've got a whole lot of experience back from last year."
nThe Piedmont District has been historically one of the strongest basketball districts in Group AA. And this year should be no different.
Bassett (24-1) returns five players from the team that won its first 24 games before losing in the Region III semifinals.
Four of the players back are seniors: 5-5 guard Kim Hairston (15 ppg, 5 rebounds), 5-8 forward Heather Burke (8 ppg, 4 rebounds),. 5-10 center center Patricia Green (7 ppg, 7 rebounds) and 5-6 guard LaTasha Hairston (6 ppg, 3 rebounds). Also returning is 5-5 junior swing player Lynettia Johnson (5 ppg, 6 rebounds).
This Bassett squad will have speed, shooting, ball handing, and a balanced attack. The inside game and depth could be problems areas though.
Martinsville (19-6) brings back three starters who averaged in double-figures for another team that also fell in the regional semis.
Those starters returning are 5-6 senior guard Samantha Ferguson (14.9 ppg), 5-8 junior swing player Tresita Holland (11.6 ppg, 5.6 rebounds) and 5-7 sophomore guard Erica Brandon (12.6 ppg, 3.2 rebounds).
Speed, especially in the starting lineup, will be Martinsville's forte. Problems could be caused by lack of depth and height and limited experience.
Magna Vista (14-9) could be poised to make a move up the standings as it has experience and height.
Providing the most height is 6-0 junior forward Tanesia Kellam (11 ppg, 8 rebounds). Providing the most experience are three seniors: 5-10 forward Tonya Zehr (10 ppg, 6 rebounds), 5-8 guard Kathleen Speakman (8.5 ppg) and 5-6 guard Felicia Craig (7.5 ppg). Also back is 5-7 junior guard Kristy Wilkens (6.5 ppg).
Laurel Park (14-8) has a young team but it does have some height and speed.
Junior 5-2 guard Latoya Perkins (12.3 ppg) is the top offensive threat back. Also returning are junior 5-6 swing player Latonya Martin (6.6 ppg), junior 5-11 center Sherrika Carter and the team's lone senior, 5-2 guard Tracie Barksdale (2 ppg).
Fieldale-Collinsville (10-11) will be ready in those situations where experience counts as it returns nine players.
F-C hopes to use that experience to establish a balanced attack. Senior 5-6 guard Cicely Becker, junior 5-6 guard Yvonne Hall and junior 6-3 center T.J. Hayes each averaged just under 14 ppg. Hayes utilized her height to pull down 8.5 rebounds per game.
nIn the Hogoheegee District, the Wythe County schools of Rural Retreat and George Wythe have enjoyed success in recent years. Rural Retreat made it to the Group A Region C tournament last year. George Wythe reached the state finals two years ago. Both teams will have to overcome inexperience to reach those heights again this season.
Rural Retreat (20-2) has only three players back but all are senior starters. Also, the squad should be quick and aggressive with balanced scoring. The returnees are 5-10 forward Tanya Tarter (14.8 ppg, 9 rebounds), 5-10 forward Stephanie Kell (6.8 ppg, 8 rebounds) and 5-7 guard Beth Ketner (9.5 ppg, 5 rebounds).
George Wythe (7-14) is looking to bounce back after a down season. It too is a quick team with some height. The tallest returnee is 5-10 sophomore forward/center Megan Johnson (4.2 ppg, 3.4 rebounds). The top scorer returning is 5-7 sophomore forward/center Lisa Garland (11.8 ppg, 6.9 rebounds). Also back are 5-6 sophomore guard Tonya Cregger (4 ppg, 3 rebounds) and 5-3 senior guard Shannon Crouse (4.3 ppg).
by CNB