THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 29, 1995 TAG: 9509290647
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
Despite the watchful eye of a national television camera, it was business as usual for the Cox High field hockey team Thursday.
The Falcons have drawn the attention of ESPN's Scholastic Sports America with a national record six straight state championships and nine state titles overall.
So at Thursday's Beach District home opener, Cox played as WTKR cameraman Mike Diller filmed for the show.
The Falcons were unfazed, routing district rival First Colonial 4-0.
``I never noticed him, and I don't think the team did either,'' said Kim Miller, who added to the attraction by last year becoming the leading scorer in Virginia state history with 90 goals. Miller also set the single-season record of 50 goals and is in line to break that this season - tallying 28 goals in only six games.
``Besides, he didn't come here to film us paying attention to him, he came here to film us concentrating on our game.''
After a slow start that saw Cox (2-0 Beach District, 6-0 overall) holding a slim 1-0 lead on Lauren Crenshaw's goal, the Falcons got their concentration going for three second-half goals and another lopsided victory - running their winning streak to 30 games.
In the second half, Cox got goals from Britt Moore, Crenshaw and Miller.
All the while, Diller was combing the field for shots worthy of the scheduled October segment on the show. It was his second filming session, the first coming with broadcaster Jim Hale doing on-camera interviews.
``It was mentioned before the game that he was going to be here,'' said Catherine McCallum. ``But having this kind of attention hasn't affected us. We did start a little slow, but that wasn't why.''
Diller's presence did have one obvious effect on the game, however, as more than 300 fans lined both sides of the field.
``Everyone was anxious to get on TV,'' laughed coach Nancy Fowlkes - the winningest field hockey coach in Virginia high school history. ``This will probably be the best attended game we'll have until postseason.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN/
Mike Diller, a cameraman for WTKR, takes aim at halftime of Cox
High's 4-0 win over First Colonial on Thursday. Diller was doing
freelance work for ESPN's Scholastic Sports America. The segment is
scheduled to air in October.
by CNB