Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 1, 1994 TAG: 9412210034
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S15 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It's not likely, but if one team can pull it off, it will be Roanoke Catholic.
The Celtics certainly have the league's tallest player in 6-foot-1-inch senior Abby Dickson, who averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds a game a year ago. Catholic also returns three starters, but Dickson won't have a lot of experienced help underneath.
``I don't know if we'll be as good as last year,'' said third-year coach Robin Hungate, whose club was 16-6 overall and 11-2 in the Blue Ridge Conference as the runner-up.
``We've got some good players back from last year and we've got some good young players. But I think this might be a building year."
Dickson is drawing the attention of some of the smaller colleges, and figures to play basketball at a higher level next year. She's not a Division I recruit but could have an outstanding season at some smaller colleges. So far, Guilford is one of the schools looking at her.
Roanoke's other two Blue Ridge members both had winning records in the conference last year. So there is strength and tradition for them to do well in the league race.
Roanoke Valley Christian, though, will have one of its youngest teams. The Eagles return four starters, but none had a lot of points last year.
Also, Coach Bobby Dixon will depend on two eighth-graders and two freshmen to fill out his team. They're up from the junior varsity, but that's good news, for that team posted a 13-1 record a year ago.
``We're quicker than we have been. But this looks to be a rebuilding year,'' said Dixon.
The best of the junior varsity players might be Gina Guthrie. She averaged 13 points a game, and that's four fewer than the four returning starters averaged together for the Eagles.
North Cross returns three starters and the high scorer among this group is Emily Cook, an excellent all-around athlete.
Coach Gaylyn Moore, though, echoes Hungate and Dixon when she says, ``I see this as being a building year. We're working on fundamentals with the young players so that we have something for the future.''
NORTH CROSS
93-94 record:10-8 overall, 8-6 in the Blue Ridge Conference
Coach: Gaylyn Moore, second year
Returning starters: Kathryn Anthony, 5-8, sr., forward, 4.7 ppg., 2.9 rpg.; Emily Cook, 5-8, sr., forward, 9.8 ppg., 8.5 rpg.; and Emily Kennedy, 5-6, jr., guard, 2.8 ppg., 6.6 rpg.
Other key players: Katherine Kelly, 5-6, soph., guard; Maggie Bivens, 5-7, fr., forward-center; Ann Ballenger, 5-6, fr., forward; Beth Hubard, 5-6, fr., forward; and Karen Tinaglia, 5-8, jr., forward-center (transfer from Patrick Henry).
Outlook: The Raiders lost a couple of key veterans to injuries and must blend in a group of new players with three veterans. There is a fair amount of height for Blue Ridge Conference action.
ROANOKE CATHOLIC
93-94 record:16-6 overall, 11-2 in the Blue Ridge Conference
Coach: Robin Hungate, third year
Returning starters: Abby Dickson, 6-1, sr., center, 14.0 ppg., 10.0 rpg.; Teresa Monsour, 5-11/2, jr., point guard, 8.0 ppg.; and Elaine Ronquillo, 5-1, sr., guard, 5.0 ppg.
Other key players: Christy Hinman, 5-6, soph., guard; Kristine Maxymiv, 5-10, jr., forward.
Outlook: Catholic hopes to match last year's record but must get help from the key players to do so. Catholic was the second best team in last year's Blue Ridge Conference race.
ROANOKE VALLEY CHRISTIAN
92-93 record:10-11 overall, 8-6 in the Blue Ridge Conference
Coach: Bobby Dixon, ninth year
Returning starters: Jenny Coons, 5-4, jr., guard, 8.6 ppg.; Miriam Long, 5-8, sr., center, 4.1 ppg.; Ashley Rakes, 5-5, jr., center, 2.0 ppg.; and Amy Helton, 5-5, sr., guard, 2.3 ppg.
Other key players: Gina Guthrie, 5-5, 8th grade, guard; Rebecca Bryant, 5-8, 8th grade, center; Amy Rumbley, 5-5, fr., forward; Rebecca Lockhart, 5-5, 8th grade, guard; and Rebecca Long, 5-5, fr., guard.
Outlook: This is one of Timesland's youngest varsity teams, but the eighth-graders on the squad have ability and figure to contribute. RVC has always competed well in the Blue Ridge.
by CNB