THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 2, 1994 TAG: 9412020714
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE MICHAUX, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 102 lines
Nansemond River lost 12 players from last season's state semifinal team. Warriors head coach Spencer Mayfield says it's rebuilding time. Still, the rest of the Bay Rivers District has pegged the Warriors as the team to beat again. The Bay Rivers has become one of the most competitive Group AA districts in the state; at least five teams have a legitimate shot at second place.
1993-94 champion: Nansemond River
Predicted order of finish: 1. Nansemond River. 2. Franklin. 3. Lakeland. 4. Bruton. 5. York. 6. Southampton. 7. Poquoson. 8. Smithfield.
NANSEMOND RIVER
Coach: Spencer Mayfield.
Last season: 19-6 overall, 13-1 district (1st)
Impact players: James Parker, 6-8 senior center; Montorian Valentine, 6-3 junior forward; Antoine Willie, 6-0 sophomore guard
Newcomers to watch: Randell White, 6-4 junior; Karron Riddick, 5-10 junior; Tony Lewis, 6-2 sophomore
Outlook: Despite losing 12 players, the Warriors still have the depth and size to control the district. Six players are still playing football.
FRANKLIN
Coach: James Jones.
Last season: 24-4 overall, 12-2 district (tied for 2nd)
Impact players: Josh Freeman, 6-7 senior forward; Wade Williams, 6-6 senior center; Linwood Joyner, 6-2 senior forward
Newcomers to watch: Andulla Mereweather, 6-5 freshman center; Xavier Scott, 6-3 sophomore forward; Carlandus Banks, 5-10 junior guard
Outlook: The Broncos have 10 new faces on the court this season and coach James Jones is relying heavily on the leadership of his starting seniors. Jones is hoping to develop his newcomers by ``throwing them right into the fire.''
LAKELAND
Coach: John Fuller.
Last season: 16-6 overall, 12-2 district (tied for 2nd)
Impact players: Sebastian Yates, 6-2 senior forward; Brian Baker, 5-10 junior guard; Aron Porter, 6-2 senior forward
Newcomers to watch: Damon Tillary, 6-2 sophomore forward; Josh Worrell, 5-10 junior guard
Outlook: Inexperience will be the Cavaliers' Achilles heel this season, but they should be able to make up for that with quickness and hustle.
BRUTON
Coach: Wayne Burnette.
Last season: 10-12 overall, 4-10 district (tied for 6th)
Impact players: Quincy Williams, 6-2 senior forward; Joe Brooks, 5-9 senior guard; Keith Campbell, 6-5 junior guard
Newcomers to watch: Franklin Newton, 5-10 junior guard; Russell Whitby, 6-5 sophomore center
Outlook: Bruton's junior varsity team won the district last season and Burnette will be looking to a lot of those players to make the jump up to the varsity level.
YORK
Coach: Robert Shamblin.
Last season: 20-6 overall, 12-2 district (tied for 2nd)
Impact players: Pernell Tucker, 6-4 senior guard; Brian Ginn, 6-3 senior forward; Carl Maymi, 5-9 senior guard
Newcomers to watch: Je'cisken Ramsey, 6-2 senior forward; Scott Gray, 5-10 senior guard
Outlook: The Falcons just got the football players onto the court. Head coach Robert Shamblin hasn't had to wait for players before and expects it to be some time before he can get them into basketball shape. The Falcons have experience on their side.
SOUTHAMPTON
Coach: Randy Jesee.
Last season: 8-13 overall, 4-10 district (tied for 6th)
Impact players: Shawn Tann, 6-3 junior guard; Peter Moses, 5-11 senior guard; Mike Moore, 6-2 senior guard
Newcomers to watch: Greg Scott, 6-4 freshman center; William Brown, 5-11 junior guard; Tawayne Uzzle, 6-4 junior forward
Outlook: The Indians have only three seniors, but coach Randy Jesee said they have more depth than they have had for a while.
POQUOSON
Coach: Bob Baker.
Last season: 4-17 overall, 3-11 district (7th)
Impact players: Jeff Montgomery, 6-1 senior forward; Matt Connors, 6-4 senior forward; Brady Diggs 6-0 junior guard
Newcomers to watch: Erick Zohn, 6-0 junior guard; Kristian Lindberg, 6-3 junior forward; Jamie Warren, 6-3 junior center
Outlook: The Islanders are another team with depth - Baker says at least two deep at every spot. The Islanders should improve upon last season, but the district is just too strong for them to finish high in the standings.
SMITHFIELD
Coach: Jonathan Penn.
Last season: 1-20 overall, 0-14 district (8th)
Impact players: Dwayne Wilson, 6-1 junior guard; Carlos Parker, 5-10 junior guard; Daryl Savage, 6-2 junior forward.
Newcomers to watch: Lamont Tucker, 6-4 senior center; Thaddeous Blunt, 6-2 junior forward.
Outlook: Penn, a recent graduate of VMI, will try to bring some enthusiasm to the Packers. The team is loaded with juniors and could build itself into a solid team for next year. The Packers should come up with a win or two this season. by CNB