ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 27, 1997 TAG: 9703270071
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FROM STAFF AND ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS
Menchville's Chalois Lias is the state's player of the year and West Springfield's Bill Gibson is the coach of the year.
Sophomore Katrina Williams, who led Pulaski County to the quarterfinal round of the state girls' basketball tournament, was a second-team All-Group AAA selection Wednesday by The Associated Press.
Williams led the Roanoke Valley District in scoring (18.9 points per game) and field-goal percentage (70.2) while leading the Cougars to the Northwest Region crown. Williams also averaged 3.4 assists per contest and was second in the district in free-throw percentage (76.0) and 3-point percentage (27.2).
Chalois Lias, who averaged 18.4 points, 14 rebounds, seven blocks and four steals a game for Menchville, was named Group AAA player of the year after balloting by state sportswriters.
Menchville, ranked No.7 nationally by USA Today, was upset by James River of Midlothian in overtime in a Group AAA semifinal. Lias led the Monarchs with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Joining the 6-foot-1 forward on the All-Group AAA first team was sophomore Kara Lawson, who led West Springfield to the state title and a 30-0 record.
Lawson, 5-8, averaged 20.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 3.5 steals for the Spartans.
The rest of the first team was ShaVohn McKinnon of Menchville, Katie Tracy of James River (Midlothian) and Shannon Segres of Gar-Field (Dale City). West Springfield's Bill Gibson was named coach of the year.
LENGTH: Short : 38 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Williams. color.by CNB