Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 30, 1995 TAG: 9511300024
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-17 EDITION: METRO ROGER HART/STAFF.
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Last season, the Pioneer barely missed having two teams in the state championship game. William Monroe of the Skyline District won its second consecutive Group A title, but it had to beat Parry McCluer 46-43 in a semifinal and Glenvar 51-46 in the championship game.
Parry McCluer was the runner-up to William Monroe the previous season, showing just how far Pioneer District basketball has come the past two seasons.
This season, Glenvar and James River should be in the thick of the race, with the possibility of a trip to the state tournament awaiting the two teams that qualify for the Region C tournament in February.
It will be business as usual for Glenvar, which may have enough firepower back to make another run at a state title.
``I think we're going to be good. I'm not sure we'll be as good as last year,'' said Art Lawrence, the Highlanders' coach. ``We could possibly be as good, though.''
If that sounds like a coach hedging his bets, it is. At midseason in 1994-95, Glenvar appeared incapable of reaching the heights predicted in preseason. Then, the Highlanders got hot in the postseason, though Glenvar lost the Region C championship to Parry McCluer.
Still, the Highlanders won nine of their last 11 games to gain the Group A runner-up trophy and were in the game with William Monroe until the final seconds.
Corey Willis and 6-foot-5 James Williams, double-figure scorers last season, are back. Gone, however, is Nick Varney. The Glenvar point guard and Timesland boys' athlete of the year helped make Glenvar a state power in basketball, golf and tennis.
``We're putting more emphasis on defense this year,'' Lawrence said. ``We're not quite as quick as were last year. We have to be more focused on defense and the rotation has to be right.''
Glenvar has height. Along with Williams, the Highlanders feature 6-5 Perry Taylor, who didn't live up to offensive expectations a season ago with only 95 points. If Taylor develops a scoring touch, Glenvar will be strong underneath.
At point guard, Josh Williamson returns as a starter, a position he held last season until Varney asserted himself. Eric East also has played point, so the Highlanders are not inexperienced there.
Glenvar will be hard to beat if 6-3 Troy Henderson, who saw action a season ago, and newcomer Lynward Twine, a 5-11 center who is an excellent athlete, come through.
James River opens a fourth year under Randolph Howard, a longtime assistant to legendary coach James Shotwell. When Shotwell retired, the Knights didn't have a lot of talent and Howard has been rebuilding. This might be the Knights' year, though they'll have to do it without much height.
Success in football might be a sign of good things. Howard has a strong senior class, including returning starters Jason Peery, Brian Shorter, Chris Firebaugh and Shahan Burrell, from last season's squad that beat Parry McCluer during the regular season and had the misfortune to play the Fighting Blues first in the district tournament.
``It's been a tough three years, but that's life,'' Howard said. ``We have some kids who have been in the program a couple of years and a few other guys from the junior varsity to help them.''
Last season, Howard kept 6-4 freshman Will Goad on the varsity. If Goad can step in to provide rebounding, James River will play with anyone in the district. Peery also is an excellent rebounder.
``Winning in football [the Knights went 7-3] will help,'' Howard said. ``You go from the low moments to the glory, if there is any.''
Craig County will be led by 6-1 Jamie Fisher, but the Rockets have little height, except for 6-4 sophomore Kenny Whitt, who is coming up from the junior varsity
``We have quickness, speed and experience, plus a good offensive unit,'' said Eric Crabtree, the Rockets' coach. ``But we don't have depth or a proven defense.''
Covington has the most starters returning and plays the favorite's role. The Cougars' weakness is lack of height, but there's plenty of firepower, with five players who averaged more than 7.5 points.
Parry McCluer has four starters back, led by 6-0 Nathan Floyd (9.4 ppg), but no experienced height. Bath County has no height, but 5-8 David Buzzard (8.3 ppg) and 6-1 Jon Rodgers (8.3 ppg) should make the Chargers formidable. Highland will have one of its better teams, thanks to 5-8 Jacob Hull (10.3 ppg) and 5-8 Bryan Werner (13.9 ppg).
Here is a capsule look at three of the Pioneer District teams:
CRAIG COUNTY
'94-95 record: 3-18 overall, 1-11 district.
Coach: Eric Crabtree, second year.
Returning starters: Kyle Crawford, 5-6, Sr., G, 6.5 points per game, 3.2 assists per game; Jamie Fisher, 6-1, Sr., G, 15.0 ppg; Eric Gillingham, 6-1, Jr., F, 4.0 ppg.
Other key players: Dwayne Crawford, 6-3, Jr., F, 2.0 ppg; Casey Oiler, 6-1, Sr., C; Jeff Jones, 5-11, Sr., G; Bruce Duncan, 5-11, Jr., F; Stephen Oliver, 5-6, Jr., G; Jason Blankenship, 5-9, Sr., F; Kenny Whitt, 6-4, Soph., C.
Outlook: Craig County should be improved, with some experience on the roster, but the Rockets might not be ready to challenge the leaders without a star player returning.
GLENVAR
'94-95 record: 20-9, 9-3 (Group A runner-up).
Coach: Art Lawrence, ninth year.
Returning starters: James Williams, 6-5, Sr., F, 13.0 ppg, 7.5 rebounds per game; Corey Willis, 6-2, Sr., F, 13.8 ppg, 6.2 ppg.
Other key players: Josh Williamson, 6-1, Jr., G, 4.0 ppg; Eric East, 5-11, Sr., G, 5.0 ppg; Perry Taylor, 6-5, Sr., C, 3.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg; Troy Henderson, 6-3, Sr., F.
Outlook: Glenvar could be among the state's strongest Group A teams again, with a good group of returning players at all positions. There still is some rebuilding to do; Lawrence must develop the type of depth he had at the end of last season.
JAMES RIVER
'94-95 record: 9-12, 5-7.
Coach: Randolph Howard, fourth year.
Returning starters: Jason Peery, 6-2, Sr., F-C, 7.6 ppg, 8.8 rpg; Shahan Burrell, 6-0, Sr., C, 12.5 ppg, 8.4 ppg; Brian Shorter, 5-11, Sr., G-F, 8.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg; Chris Firebaugh, 5-10, Sr., G, 7.0 ppg.
Other key players: Matt Johnson, 5-11, Jr., G; Quincy Springs, 5-10, Soph., G-F; Brian LeFlore, 5-6, Jr., G; Travis Blankenship, 5-11, Jr., F; Chad Neighbors, 6-0, Sr., F; Will Goad, 6-4, Soph., F-C.
Outlook: This could be a sleeper team, with a blend of veterans and newcomers. The Knights have experience and, judging by their strong football season, plenty of athletes with which to challenge for the top spot in the district.
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH:1, Covington; 2, Glenvar; 3, James River; 4, Parry McCluer; 5, Bath County; 6, Craig County; 7, Highland.
by CNB