THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 14, 1996 TAG: 9601120196
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 93 lines
IT'S ONLY THE MIDPOINT of the basketball season, but Portsmouth Christian is well on its way to the school's finest record.
A loser only once in 15 outings, and that loss to an undefeated team, Portsmouth Christian no longer is content just to reach its pre-season goal.
When the season started, the Patriots figured an ambitious target would be a championship in the Metro Conference.
That's still a target for Portsmouth Christian. ``But we are hoping for even bigger and better things,'' said coach Larry Smith.
The Patriots want to be among the four top-ranked teams in the Virginia Independent Schools poll, which will mean a home game in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs.
The state semifinals and finals are scheduled at North Cross in Roanoke March 1-2.
``We want to be one of those teams,'' said center Danny Barton.
The 6-foot-5 Barton provides virtually all the height for the Patriots. He averages about 10 rebounds per game.
``We try to offset a lack of height with our quickness,'' Smith said. ``I have never coached a team that was quicker than this one.''
Smith, who has compiled a coaching record of 153-82 in a nine-year stint that included six seasons at Greenbrier Christian, has melded a unit that includes three transfers with three starters from last year's 13-18 team.
One of last year's starters, 6-1 sophomore Brian McCauley, is now the first player off the bench.
Junior guard Brian Rustay, a 5-10 all-around performer, leads the Patriots in scoring with a 15.7 average. The third-year starter is one of three players who shares work at point guard.
``Brian can do it all,'' said Smith. ``Defensively, he averages five steals a game. And offensively, he can shoot outside and he can penetrate. He's a good finisher.''
Barton, who played at Greenbrier before transferring to Portsmouth Christian last year, is the No. 2 scorer with a 12.4 average. ``He has the load for us inside against the big people,'' added Smith.
The transfers are Matt Hines, Andy Ballard and Imani Gregory. The 6-0 Hines, a forward, was on the Deep Creek junior varsity a year ago. The 5-9 Ballard, the other forward, was on Wilson's varsity last year. Two years ago, Gregory was on the Western Branch junior varsity. Last season, he played at Northwest High School in Tennessee.
Portsmouth Christian is averaging 68.4 points and has held the opposition to 52. The Patriots have won 11 in a row. They love to run and use their speed. They apply full court pressure defensively much of the time.
The 11-player squad includes four seniors, three juniors and four sophomores.
The victories include a 5-0 mark against teams from the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools, a win over Nandua of the Eastern Shore and a triumph over Altoona, a team from Pennsylvania coached by former Norview coach Ed Young.
The loss was to Atlantic Christian, one of only two undefeated area teams (Maury is the other). In that game, Portsmouth Christian was a first-quarter leader but was unable to match the much-taller Atlantic Christian team off the boards.
Portsmouth Christian has never been ranked in the state poll before this season. Last week, they were No. 4.
The Patriots have beaten two other teams that were ranked when they met - Hampton Christian and Isle of Wight.
``One reason for our success is our togetherness,'' said Barton. ``We all went to a camp at High Point University in July, and we played together all summer in the gym.''
``We're just going to get better,'' chipped in Gregory. ``We're just starting to learn how everybody plays.''
``Our defense is a big key to our winning,'' added Hines.
Portsmouth Christian has about 700 students, 140 at the high school level. About 75 are boys and nearly half play on the school's three basketball teams - varsity, junior varsity and junior jayvees.
``We have a lot of interest in our basketball program,'' said Smith. ``And the players are working hard and very confident of reaching the goals they have set.
``It's good when you can continue to raise your goals.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MARK MITCHELL
Junior guard Brian Rustay, left, and center Danny Barton are the
leading scorers this season for Portsmouth Christian.
Imani Gregory, front to back, Andrew Ballard and Matt Hines
transferred to Portsmouth Christian.
Larry Smith
Patriots' coach
by CNB