ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, November 28, 1996 TAG: 9611290084
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-10 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
Troy Dixon left coaching the Roanoke Valley Christian boys' basketball team to try another sport.
``I left RVC to become a golf professional. But I really enjoy coaching,'' said the younger Dixon.
So when the Roanoke Valley Christian job became open, Dixon was ready to return.
``I was trying to get out of the golf business. My wife and I have been praying for something else for us to do for family time and church,'' said Dickson.
The prayer was answered when Jim Farmer, who took over for Dixon five years ago, suddenly left this fall to ``pursue other interests.''
Now Dixon is an applicant for the school's athletic director position as well, and returns to coach the boys' team. His father, Bobby Dixon, is the longtime coach of the RVC girls' team.
``We shouldn't be too bad. We have to do the fundamental things right to be successful, but we're very excited. We won't go on the court and blow anyone away. We'll have close games most of the season.''
RVC will be strong at guard, though point Eric Johnson, one of Timesland's more talented players at that position and a member of the Timesland Sizzlin' Sophomore team, moved out of town. Chris Huffman and Mark DeLong are back at guard, but Dixon says, ``We had a little more height last year. If we can rebound, we can win.''
At Roanoke Catholic, Dick Wall starts his second year as a coach and lawyer as he juggles his two professions. He is on for the long haul and hopes to stay even when son Chad graduates this year. The younger Wall is one of four returning starters for a team that should improve from last year's five victories.
``We have nine guys who can really play,'' said Wall. ``They'll all contribute.''
The Celtics are ambitious, adding state private-school power Benedictine, Pioneer District power Parry McCluer and Catholic power St. Vincent's of Petersburg to a schedule that already includes Group AAA Pulaski County.
Wall's stated goal is to promote the school and get it out of the Virginia Independent Conference. ``We have a lot of things going at this school, a building program for instance,'' he said. ``Basketball can be a visible program. You can compete with anyone because you only need to get four or five players. It does us no good to compete in the VIC except for Roanoke Valley Christian and North Cross, because no one [in Roanoke] knows that league.''
Speaking of North Cross, the Raiders hope to improve. ``We were in a lot of games last year. David Foster [a reserve as a junior] is a real key. He has to play well,'' said Raider coach Jim Muscaro, who will be searching for rebounding. ``He really came on the last part of the season.''
NORTH CROSS
95-96 record: 2-16 overall, 2-11 in Virginia Independent Conference.
Coach: Jim Muscaro, 24th year.
Returning starters: Brandon Lacroix, 5-8, Jr., G, 6.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.4 assists per game; Jeff Baetz, 6-2, Sr., F, 9.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg.
Other key players: Brad Fielder, 5-11, Soph., G; David Foster, 6-3, Sr., C, 3.3 rpg; Michael Stoeckle, 5-7, Soph., G; Mark Allen, 6-2, Soph., F; Tim Harms, 6-2, Sr., C; Joe Thielecke, 6-0, Soph., F; Ben Moore, 6-1, Jr., F.
Outlook: North Cross should be improved, but the Raiders aren't ready to return to the glory days when they challenged and won a Virginia Independent Schools state title in 1993.
ROANOKE CATHOLIC
95-96 record: 5-14 overall, 4-9 in the Virginia Independent Conference.
Coach: Dick Wall, second year
Returning starters: Brendan McCarthy, 6-0, Sr., G, 14.8 ppg; Chad Wall, 6-0, Sr., G, 7.2 ppg; Terron Reed, 6-31/2, Jr., post, 10.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg; Aki Al-Zubaidi, 6-3, Sr., G-F, 5.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg.
Other key players: Mark Reynolds, 6-3, Jr., post; Jimmy Hunt, Jr., 6-0, G; Matt Peck, Jr., 5-9, G; Andy Wierzbic, Jr., 5-9, G; P.J. Moyer, Sr., 5-10, G.
Outlook: The Celtics will be improved, and hope to move up as a challenger in the state Catholic tournament. Roanoke Catholic returns more than 38 points a game and should provide a test for some of the VIC's top teams.
ROANOKE VALLEY CHRISTIAN
95-96 record: 16-7 overall, 10-3 in Virginia Independent Conference.
Coach: Troy Dixon, first year.
Returning starters: Chris Huffman, 5-11, Sr., G, 10.0 ppg; Mark DeLong, 6-0, Sr., G, 9.5 ppg.
Other key players: Dan Bivens, 5-11, Jr., F; Justin Hurt, 6-1, Soph., C, 4.3 ppg; Ryan Allman, 5-11, Jr., G; K.C. Gilbert, 6-1, Soph., F; Brad Hutchins, 5-11, Soph., G; Steven Groomes, 6-1, Jr., F; Phil Martin, 5-11, Sr., G.
Outlook: RVC won't be as tough as last year, but the Eagles should post a good record as Dixon returns as coach to replace Jim Farmer, who resigned this fall. The Eagles will be strong at guard; there is a lack of height.
LENGTH: Medium: 91 linesby CNB