THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 23, 1995 TAG: 9504200215
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 27 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER
CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
Something could happen this week that has never happened before. Northeastern High School's golf team, long the doormat of the Big East Conference, is on the verge of winning the conference.
The Eagles, who hold a seven-stroke lead over perennial champion Greenville Rose going into the final tournament of the season, can wrap up the title at Pine Lakes Country Club on Thursday.
The Eagles opened the season with a loss to Manteo, then reeled off 20 straight wins. The team is currently 23-2 overall and 19-1 in the conference. The only conference loss was to Greenville Rose.
Northeastern is led by juniors Matt Spruill and Douglas Biggs Jr., who are currently the top two golfers in the conference. Spruill is averaging 74.6 and has had a low of 73. He has been the medalist or co-medalist in three of the four tournaments. Biggs, averaging a 76, has had a low of 74 this year. Both are vying for the top two spots in the conference.
Third golfer is sophomore Clay McPherson, averaging a 78. Sophomore Drew DeBruhl, sophomore Vaughn Robinson and senior Harden Barker round out the top six.
The Eagles have never won a conference championship. As a matter of fact, they have never finished higher than fourth in the conference. Guy Thompson, who along with Kevin McCord are volunteer coaches for the team, attributes the team's success to an active off season for the top two golfers.
``It was a summer of intense junior golf, traveling through North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia for both Biggs and Spruill,'' Thompson said. ``It's physical and mental maturing making the difference between a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old. I really thought they were one year away. These guys really surprised us.''
Thompson said the team is poised for the conference title.
``Thursday will show what these guys are made of,'' he said. ``With a seven-shot lead on their home course, they really have no excuses.'' by CNB