THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 1, 1995 TAG: 9412300247
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAN COOLEY, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
Indian River boys basketball on the middle school level is close to a dynasty these days. The Braves have won the last three regular season and tournament titles and are loaded with talent again, with the most returning experienced players of any team in the Chesapeake Middle School League.
But nothing is certain.
Great Bridge, last year's second-place finishers in both the regular season and the CMSL tournament, was the only team to beat Indian River last year. The Wildcats also return several key players.
``But you have to think of Indian River like the Dallas Cowboys,'' said Great Bridge coach Steve Gedro. ``Until someone knocks them off, they have to be the favorite.''
CRESTWOOD
After losing the top seven players from last year's 7-3 team, first year coach Michael Mustain has shifted into rebuilding mode. Guards Vegas Robinson and Bret Carte are the only returning players.
Newcomers who should have an immediate impact are forwards Harold Felton and Wes Logan. Mustain said twin guards Erick and Eric Griffin also have been impressive early on.
DEEP CREEK
Despite finishing 2-8 last year, the Hornets return seven letter-winners and can be considered one of the dark horses in the league.
Linwood Hall, Tyrone Smith, Carlton Stancil and Eric Wilson return at guard to give Deep Creek a good mix of quickness, depth and solid outside shooting.
Kenyell Jennings returns at forward, and with two other returners over six feet tall - center Terrel Ricks (6-3) and forward Antoine Butts (6-1) - Deep Creek will be strong inside and on rebounding.
GREAT BRIDGE
With five returning letter-winners from a team that lost to Indian River by just four points in last year's CMSL title game, the Wildcats may have the best chance of dethroning the perennial champs.
Returning is multitalented Antwan Stukes, who at 6-2 also has good height for a guard. Guard/forward Pat McDuff, guard Ben Hawkins, 5-11 forward Milton Gregory and 6-foot center Akil Riddick also return from last year's 8-2 team.
Great Bridge should be especially strong in rebounding, with three other players coming off the bench who are over six feet tall.
INDIAN RIVER
Two of this year's starters are newcomers - forwards Dominique Wilkens and Jarvon Mack - but coach James DeLoatch will counter with experienced starters Paul Burford and Jamaine Winborne at guard, and 6-3 Terrell Taylor at center. Six-footer Bryant Hall adds depth off the bench.
Also returning are guards Ronald Brewer, James Jackson and Markeese Johnson.
The only weakness right now for the Braves is finding someone to provide leadership now that standout Deshain Nichols is gone.
OSCAR SMITH
Coach Phil Twine has his work cut out for him. The Tigers return just two players - guard Lamar Riddick and forward Clyde Spellman - off a team that went 4-6.
Twine will be counting on newcomers Sam Williams and Terence Knight to give Oscar Smith an inside game. Rookie guard Jamil Burnell, along with Riddick, is one of the better outside shooters.
WESTERN BRANCH
Despite going winless last season, there's some good news for rookie coach Ted Smith - the Bruins return five players and boast one of the CMSL's tallest teams.
The big question marks for Western Branch are lack of experience at guard - where David Fanning is the only returner - and lack of overall depth.
One of the key players for Smith is also one of the league's tallest - 6-4 center Nathan Chappell. Also adding height are 5-10 forward David Johnson and two six-foot forwards, Andy Ganey and Jeff Pye. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Indian River coach James DeLoatch's Braves have won the last three
regular season and tournament titles and are loaded with talent this
year.
by CNB