Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 30, 1995 TAG: 9511300017
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-16 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Lately, the Blue Ridge District has taken over, sending Salem and Northside to the Group AA semifinal round in 1994.
In the shadow of these two districts, the Seminole District rarely sent a team to the Group AA tournament.
Now, it's the Seminole's turn. Last season, Liberty not only went to the state tournament, but the Minutemen also made it to a semifinal. For a half, they were even with the eventual state champion, Nansemond River, before fatigue set in and the Minutemen fell out of the game.
This season, the Seminole has a legitimate chance to send two teams to the state tournament for the first time. If it happens, it will be the first time in years under the present alignment the Blue Ridge and Piedmont failed to send a team.
If the Seminole does send two teams to the Group AA tournament, then Liberty and Staunton River have reasonable shots at being the district's representatives.
``The Seminole is a league that, if you're not ready to play this year, you can be had,'' said Eddie Carter, Staunton River's coach.
Carter does Liberty no favors in saying the Minutemen are the team to beat, despite the fact coach Mark Hanks' team has no height to speak of and will have to come up with some new ideas to repeat last season's run.
``They always have five fine players on the floor,'' Carter said of the Minutemen. ``Everyone can shoot, play defense, dribble and they just present a lot of problems. They'll be as good as last year. The one place they might be hurt is if a team can handle their defense and then jam it inside.''
Hanks likes his team because he not only has super guards J.J. Coles and Gregg Reynolds back, but he has sophomores Robert Carson and Raymond Arrington, who played a lot in his rotation as freshmen.
``No question, our guards will have to carry us. But they can do that,'' Hanks said. ``In high school, they're good enough. Certainly, the best I've seen around.
``For us to be good, Carson and Arrington have to be good. I think they're going to be.''
Hanks says he will play a lot of people, just as he did a year ago. ``As we go deeper into the season, it will be more important because of our pressure defense,'' the coach said.
Staunton River relies on Hunter Hoggatt, Timesland's leading scorer and Sizzlin' Sophomore of the Year. It is not a one-man team, though. Jeff English carries a double-figure scoring average at guard.
``Hunter has put on 15 pounds and has grown an inch,'' Carter said. ``He's stronger and shooting the ball better.''
The Golden Eagles also have height, with 6-foot-5 Lance Price and 6-8 Brandon Sloan off the junior varsity. Carter got more height when 6-4 John Childress decided to come back to the program.
``He played for us as a freshman [sixth man], then he decided to work on his golf game last winter and didn't play,'' the coach said.
Brookville, Jefferson Forest, Amherst County, Altavista and William Campbell are all potential title winners in what should be the most competitive Seminole race ever.
Here is a closer look at the district's Timesland teams:
LIBERTY
'94-95 record: 21-5 overall, 18-2 district (district champion, Group AA semifinalist).
Coach: Mark Hanks, seventh year.
Returning starters: J.J. Coles, 5-10, Sr., G, 10.0 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game, 3.2 assists per game; Gregg Reynolds, 5-10, Sr., G, 11.0 ppg; 5.0 apg.
Other key players: Raymond Arrington, 6-3, Soph., G, 7.0 ppg; 3.5 rpg; Robert Carson, 6-0, Soph., G, 4.0 ppg, 2.7 apg; Ryan Stevens, 5-8, Sr., G, 4.0 ppg; Neil Roop, 6-1, Sr., F; Cheyney Preston, 6-0, Jr., F; Rick Wright, 6-2, Jr., F; Greg Mallory, 6-1, Jr., F.
Outlook: The Minutemen will have trouble repeating last season's run, the best in school history. Liberty is deep, and the only major shortcoming - literally - appears to be a lack of height. Coles and Reynolds, along with Northside's Justin Porterfield and Ben Peete, are the best pair of guards at a Timesland school. Hanks again will use a lot of players and pressure defense to create an up-tempo game.
STAUNTON RIVER
94-95 record: 14-7 overall, 14-6 district.
Coach: Eddie Carter, eighth year.
Returning starters: Hunter Hoggatt, 6-3, Jr., G, 24.9 ppg, 5.3 apg; Jeff English, 5-10, Sr., F, 10.3 ppg.
Other key players: Lance Price, 6-5, Sr., C, 2.2 ppg; Todd Sheets, 6-3, Sr., G, 2.6 ppg; Jason Morgan, 5-8, Jr., G; John Childress, 6-4, Jr., F; Steve Martin, 5-10, Soph., G; Chris Martin, 6-2, Jr., F; Kevin Forrest, 6-0, Sr., F; Brandon Sloan, 6-8, Soph., C.
Outlook: The Golden Eagles should be improved and might even compete for the top spot in the district, depending on how their big men develop. This group has depth and good shooters with a blend of experience and youth. Hoggatt is a proven scorer, and if he continues to improve he should be a Division I college prospect.
by CNB