THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 1, 1994 TAG: 9412010635
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 96 lines
This is the year for Churchland to snap Deep Creek's three-year hold on the Southeastern District crown. No one will be able to stop Kizzy Butler, who also has a powerful supporting cast in Nicole Council and Michelle Jarman. Despite the graduation of Oscar Smith's Angela Carter, there could be a surprise lurking in the Tigers' new gym.
1993-94 champion: Deep Creek
Predicted order of finish: 1. Churchland; 2. Deep Creek; 3. Oscar Smith; 4. Indian River; 5. Western Branch; 6. Great Bridge; 7. Norcom; 8. Wilson
Team-by-team capsule looks:
CHURCHLAND
Coach: Duke Conrad (fifth year at Churchland)
Last season: 19-5 overall, 11-3 district (2nd); runner-up district tournament; lost in region semifinals.
Impact players: Kizzy Butler, 5-2 senior point guard; Nicole Council, 5-7 junior forward; Kim Elliot, 5-7 sophomore forward
Newcomers to watch: Michelle Jarman, 6-0 senior forward, transfer from Great Bridge; Shelly Singleton, 6-1 freshman center
Outlook: The triple threat of Butler, Council and Jarman will make the Truckers hard to beat in the Southeastern District. Conrad, however, says the key to the season won't be offense - that the team will only be as successful as its defense.
DEEP CREEK
Coach: Otis Etheridge (fourth year, 58-14)
Last season: 20-6 overall, 12-2 district (1st); won district tournament; lost in semifinals of region tournament.
Impact players: Michelle Boyd, 5-8 senior forward; Tamara Sivels, 5-10 senior guard; Melodie Doughty, 5-4 senior guard
Newcomers to watch: Anecia Braithwaite, 5-6 sophomore guard; Alicia Ross, 5-5 junior guard; Sylva Cchalova, 6-2 senior transfer from Czechoslovakia
Outlook: The Hornets are tested. Boyd and Council have made past trips to the region playoffs and will help Deep Creek challenge.
OSCAR SMITH
Coach: Patty Walsh (14th year)
Last season: 11-9 overall, 8-6 district (tied for 3rd)
Impact players: Kizzy Dunbar, 5-7 senior guard/forward; Starr Parker, 5-4 junior guard; Shavita Matthews, 6-2 senior center
Newcomers to watch: Krystal Johnson, 4-11 junior guard; Amber Parker, 5-4 freshman guard; Sharnnia Artis, 5-5 freshman guard
Outlook: Tigers could be the sleeper if Dunbar and Starr Parker step up.
INDIAN RIVER
Coach: Gavin Harris (third year, 12-26)
Last season: 7-13 overall, 4-10 district (6th)
Impact players: Juanika Freeman, 5-8 sophomore guard; De Shawn Whitley, 5-7 senior guard; Katrina Grant, 6-0 senior center; Quiana White, 5-11 sophomore forward
Newcomer to watch: Anitra Johnson, 5-7 sophomore forward
Outlook: The Braves have height in the frontcourt and should bang heads in the paint.
WESTERN BRANCH
Coach: Jackie Tyndall (fifth year)
Last season: 12-8 overall, 7-7 district (5th)
Impact players: Katie McPhail, 5-11 junior center; Brandi Woodard, 5-7 junior guard; Ciara Lascano, 5-9 junior forward
Newcomer to watch: Tia Snell, 5-4 freshman point guard
Outlook: Nine holdovers with height and speed should make the Bruins competitive.
GREAT BRIDGE
Coach: Ro Moore (third year, 19-22)
Last season: 12-8 overall, 7-7 district (tied for 3rd)
Impact players: April Myer, 5-8 senior center; Carey Stafford, 5-6 senior guard; LaShelle Griffin, 5-8 junior forward
Newcomer to watch: Kalisha Brown, 5-9 junior forward
Outlook: Myer and Stafford will spark the offense. Moore says her Wildcats are is quicker and has a winning attitude this season.
NORCOM
Coach: Danny Hill (second year, 2-18)
Last season: 5-14 overall, 3-11 district (tied for 7th)
Impact players: Jennifer Gaiey, 5-9 senior forward; Felicia Brown, 6-0 junior center; Tara White, 5-5 senior guard
Newcomers to watch: Kim Epps, 5-5 junior guard; Tajuana Folston, 5-5 junior guard; Brandi Smith, 6-0 junior center
Outlook: The Greyhounds graduated nine seniors and with inexperienced players.
WILSON
Coach: Jenson Baker (second year, 7-12)
Last season: 5-14 overall, 3-11 district (tied for 7th)
Impact players: Latoya Owens, 5-8 senior forward/center; Lavonya Blowe, 5-8 senior guard; Antoinette Debrough, 5-6 senior forward
Newcomers to watch: Kim Silvers, 4-11 freshman guard; Amanda Johnson, 5-7 sophomore forward
Outlook: With everybody returning, the Presidents hope to finish .500 this year behind Owens, who is the key to their inside game. by CNB