ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, July 9, 1996 TAG: 9607090038
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: HAMPTON
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
PLAYING WITH AND AGAINST the best in the state is a big challenge for Timesland standouts Tony Lisanti and Kevin Moore.
It's like mixing nags with thoroughbreds.
Joining players from Hylton, Blacksburg, Martinsville and William Byrd, schools associated with soccer state championship play, are performers from Christiansburg and Radford.
When it comes to boys' high school soccer, the Blue Demons and Bobcats don't have a strong reputation. Christiansburg never has been to the state tournament and for the first time in history finally beat perennial power Blacksburg this season. Radford played in the Group A state tournament, but people think of football when the Bobcats are mentioned in state high school athletic circles.
When the West meets the East tonight in the third Virginia High School Coaches' Association East-West boys soccer game at Darling Stadium starting at 8 p.m, Christiansburg's Tony Lisanti will be an attacking midfielder and Radford's Kevin Moore a striker for the West.
Lisanti, despite his school's lack of tradition in soccer, was player of the year in the New River District and Region IV.
Lisanti might come from a school without a strong soccer heritage, but Blacksburg coach Shelley Blumenthal, one of the West coaches, praised Lisanti all spring as one of Timesland's top talents.
Lisanti is part of a new breed at Christiansburg that will make the Blue Demons tough in the future.
``We didn't go that far,'' Lisanti said. ``I know not going that far and getting picked [for the all-star game] is hard to do.''
Beating Blacksburg was the key, though the Blue Demons later lost a 2-1 shootout in a playoff for the New River District title and then 3-0 to the Indians in the tournament championship game.
``I started playing as a freshman and I didn't think we'd be able to beat Blacksburg by the time I was a senior. It felt great beating them, like winning the state finals,'' said Lisanti.
Having played for a traveling team in soccer, Lisanti should be accustomed to the kind of soccer he'll be involved in tonight.
``Right now I'm nervous because I'm from a Double-A school. There will be Triple-A players there and all those awesome players. So I have to prove myself a little more. I know I can hang with Triple-A kids.''
Lisanti is headed to Radford University to play soccer, where he will be a teammate of Moore.
Moore has played only select soccer, first in Radford and then with Pulaski when the first program folded. He played with Lisanti for two years in the Commonwealth Games at Roanoke and this season the Bobcats beat Christiansburg.
``I was surprised to be picked for the all-star game,'' admitted Moore, despite his credentials. ``Boy, soccer players from Radford and [nationally-ranked] C.D. Hylton on the West will be exciting. It will be a proud moment.''
ALL-STAR NOTES: William Byrd forward Michael Berry, the boys' athlete of the year in Timesland, will close his soccer career for the West. He's going to VMI on a football scholarship this fall.
Other Timesland players on the West squad are Martinsville midfielder Wes Lewis, Patrick Henry midfielder Pat Barritt, Cave Spring fullback Tom Newton and Blacksburg goalie Ben Pinkerton.
Joining Blumenthal as a West coach will be Radford's Michael Greco.
The East-West volleyball game starts the day with Timesland well represented, including two players from Group AAA runner-up Patrick Henry. The Patriots' Allison Suggs, a setter, was Timesland volleyball player of the year, and is joined on the West by teammate outside hitter Becca Hogan. Other Timesland players on the West are Blacksburg's April Rogers and George Wythe's Christy Terry.
LENGTH: Medium: 78 linesby CNB