DATE: Sunday, September 14, 1997            TAG: 9709120270

SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS     PAGE: 10   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JAY LIDINGTON, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   42 lines

SOCCER TEAM HAS TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW

Regrouping rather than rebuilding will be the theme for the Portsmouth Christian School boy's soccer program this fall.

Fourth-year coach Matt Wiehl is counting on several players promoted from last year's junior varsity team to continue the success of the team that went 14-1-1 and finished first in the in the Metro Conference last fall. The Patriots lost in the conference tournament final to Denbigh Baptist.

``This year's team is not as athletic as last year's,'' Wiehl said. ``Being competitive is a good possibility for us. We're going to need some of the younger players to step up for us.''

Midfielder Paul Boccia, sweeper Brandon Butler and forward Rod Allen - all seniors - will be key performers, Wiehl said. Sophomore goalie Matt Butts was promoted from last year's j.v. team.

The Patriots are off to an 0-3 start, losing non-conference games to Peninsula Catholic, Walsingham Academy and Norfolk Christian. The team will face a strong challenge from its opponents in the expanded Metro Conference, which grew to five teams with the addition of Broadwater Academy.

``We're just hoping like most young teams that we pick up our level of play early in the season,'' Wiehl said.

Girls basketball: The Patriots' season has already been fraught with setbacks. They lost their first two games, including a 32-31 loss to Alliance Christian Tuesday. The team also lost its starting center and main scoring threat, junior Becky Burr (13 ppg, 10 rpg avg.), with a broken finger. She should be out for another one to three weeks.

``That's a lot of our offense right there,'' said coach Jeff Fuhrmann. ``We don't have anyone who can score consistently.''

Left to pick up the slack are senior off-guard Emily Sibley, who had 25 points against Norfolk Collegiate, and newcomers Lori LeMoin and ninth-grade point guard Tiffane Viers.

``Our philosophy is we're trying to be a pressure defensive team,'' Fuhrmann said. ``Our strength is our quickness. We have to create a lot of easy baskets off our pressure. At times we've given up easy baskets because of a lack of pressure. As it comes along, we'll have some success with it.'' KEYWORDS: PORTSMOUTH CHRISTIAN UPDATE

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