THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 9, 1995 TAG: 9503090540
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 95 lines
One glance at Indian River's starting lineup confirms that none of these guys needs Weight Watchers.
But 6-foot-6, 165-pound Terry Rouse takes the cake. Now if he'd only eat it. All of it.
Rouse's spindle-like legs are so thin he wears four pairs of socks to keep his feet from sliding in his size-10 1/2 shoes.
``I call him `Sticks,' '' teammate Quintae McLean said, ``because when I walk down the court behind him, he looks like two sticks walking.
``But believe me, the guy eats. He eats a lot. I've seen it. When we go to Pizza Hut, we'll order three whole pizzas and he'll take on two himself.''
Lately, the Braves' Amazing Thin Man has been devouring opponents.
In last week's Eastern Region tournament, Rouse, a junior, averaged 14.3 points, including a 20-point outburst in a semifinal victory over Maury that vaulted the Braves into the state tournament.
The Eastern Region champions will meet John F. Kennedy of Richmond Saturday night in a Group AAA quarterfinal game at Churchland High at 7:30 p.m.
Rouse's performance in the regional tournament salvaged what earlier looked like a lost year.
In early January, Rouse turned his right ankle in a game against Deep Creek.
``I was playing defense and planted my right foot,'' Rouse said. ``And my ankle turned.''
It didn't just turn. Rouse's outside ankle bone hit the floor while he was still standing straight up.
``I heard what sounded like a bone crack and thought it was broken,'' Rouse said. ``I thought I was out for the season.''
Instead, it was diagnosed as a severe sprain. Rouse sat out a couple of games, then tried to come back too soon. He reinjured it, ironically in a rematch with Deep Creek, and missed a couple more games.
``I lost quickness and a little confidence,'' Rouse said. ``I didn't feel the same on offense or defense. I wasn't as mobile. It's still a little swollen and loose and swells if I don't tape it.
``It needs about a month of rest once the season ends.''
The ankle is better now and Rouse and the Braves hope their season lasts another week. If they win Saturday, they would advance to the AAA boys Final Four in Lynchburg next Friday and Saturday.
Their run to the title will begin with Rouse, who plays point guard.
Understandably, he has yet to face an opposing point guard he couldn't peer over.
``The tallest guy I've faced was 6-2 or 6-3,'' Rouse said. ``That's why I try to back them down and shoot that little floating jumper.''
Indian River coach Freddie Spellman remembers the first time he saw Rouse, then a 6-foot, 95-pound seventh grader.
``I didn't notice how skinny he was as much as I noticed how well he dribbled for his height,'' Spellman said. ``But I guess being as skinny as he is made him look even taller.''
Rouse, who is already receiving recruiting feelers from ACC schools, has heard a plethora of nicknames, the most common being ``E.T.'' and ``Big Slim.''
He absorbs it all with a grin.
``I can still be walking down the hall with a friend,'' Rouse said, ``and they'll look at me and say, `Man, Terry, you're really skinny.' Most of the time I won't say anything. But sometimes I'll say, `I thought you knew.' ''
It isn't as if he isn't trying to gain weight. He'd like to be at least 20 pounds heavier. He devotes much of his time in an advanced physical education class to a daily weightlifting regimen. And he figures he eats ``five or six meals a day.''
Maybe the pounds have yet to show up on his frame. But the improved strength is beginning to surface.
``He always could shoot,'' Spellman said. ``But his time in the weight room is starting to show up in his increasing range. The other night he pulled up for a deep 3-pointer. I said to myself, `Wait a minute, (Churchland's) D.J. Dunbar shoots from there.' But he made it. He's feeling it now.''
Senior forward McLean, a beefy 6-3, 215-pounder who was a first-team All-Tidewater linebacker last fall, looks beyond Rouse's slender build and sees ``Division I material all the way.''
``I always knew what Terry could do,'' McLean said. ``He's always been able to shoot. The biggest thing was confidence. He's just come on in the last couple of weeks.'' ILLUSTRATION: MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN
Staff
Terry Rouse, who wears four pairs of socks to keep his feet from
sliding in his shoes, found his range in the Eastern Region
playoffs.
I. RIVER VS. JFK
What: State AAA boys quarterfinal
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Churchland High
by CNB