Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, February 25, 1991 TAG: 9102250076
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Mountain Empire and Seminole districts had some preliminary-round games Saturday, but the real action starts tonight with two games in the Piedmont District.
Northside, Marion, George Wythe and Covington also finished strong. If any other Timesland team gets to the championship game, it would be a major accomplishment, similar to Magna Vista's winning the Group AA crown two years ago.
Bland, the No. 2 Group A team at 16-2, is a question mark because the Rockets have played only Mountain Empire District teams. Despite its ranking, Bland still doesn't appear to have a strong shot at winning the state.
Laurel Park and Covington are positioned well, both being district champions, in the regional tournament and need only one victory to make the state. The Lancers, ranked No. 1 in Group AA all year, boast a 20-1 record and one of state's best juniors in 6-foot-8 Odell Hodge.
"We like our position, but we also realize we're one game from being eliminated," said Laurel Park coach Frank Scott. "So we have to go into those games playing well. But it [having a spot in the region] does take the pressure off us in the district."
The Lancers' only loss was at Martinsville. Bassett gave Laurel Park a couple of close scares, and the Lancers had to come from behind to win a tournament in North Carolina. Other than that, Hodge & Co. have rolled past most of the competition.
"I don't feel that much pressure to win the state," said Scott, whose team came out of preseason as the favorite for a state title.
"When you get to the state, you have eight teams capable of winning it. I did feel pressure to win the Piedmont District regular season. I felt like we were the best team. So many things can happen in keeping the team together from illness to injuries."
Patrick Henry is also in the Group AAA Northwestern Region, but must win two games, including one on the road, to make the state.
"We've been playing well recently - good team ball and our pressure defense has picked up," said PH coach Woody Deans.
The addition of 1989 co-Timesland Sizzlin' Sophomore of the Year Troy Johnson in the past month has also been a boost. Johnson, who was ineligible to start the year, has emerged as the Pats' on-the-floor leader.
"Troy has added some dimensions to our game and we have a lot more depth now," said Deans. "That is probably our greatest asset."
The Patriots have played arguably the strongest schedule in the state, including two nationally ranked teams - Harker (Md.) Prep and St. Anthony's (N.J.) along with defending Georgia state champion Southside.
Although PH doesn't have a big man, 6-5 Jonas Callis has improved in the past month and 6-5 sophomore Timmy Basham is one of Timesland's most veratile players. The Patriots also have depth with eight players in key roles.
"We feel we can compete with most anybody in the state. Playing the national competition has probably helped to show us how we can play real good teams like we'll see in the regional and state tournaments," Deans said.
Northside (19-1) had the best record in school history and is in the Region III tournament. However, that tournament already includes three of the state's top five teams - Laurel Park, Northside and Nelson County - and might add a fifth if Martinsville qualifies.
The good news is that the Vikings aren't in the same bracket as Laurel Park. The bad news is that Northside must face the runner-up team from the Piedmont - most likely Martinsville or Bassett - and if it wins, then must battle third-ranked Nelson County for a spot in the state.
Northside has lost last-second Region III semifinal games the past two years to Magna Vista and Martinsville. As good as coach Billy Pope's program is, it hasn't made the state yet.
The Vikings are much quicker than the past two years and have more depth. All five of the Bengals' defeats have come to teams ranked in the state's top five.
Northside has John Baker, Timesland's second-leading scorer behind Hodge. But pressure defense and the determination of senior guard Chad Briscoe are two more secrets to the Vikings' success.
Covington has Adaryl Twitty, one of Group A's best players, and bulky Tony Jeter underneath. The Cougars slumped when Twitty went out with a sprained ankle, but he's back, and they thumped James River 65-44 impressively in a playoff for the Pioneer District title.
Marion has most of the same cast back that lost in the Group AA first round last year, but the Scarlet Hurricane, if it wins a first-round Region IV game, must play at Blacksburg. Shannon Archer is one of Timesland's best guards.
George Wythe, which was in the Group AA tournament a year ago, dropped to Group A and dominated the Hogoheegee District. Because the Hogoheegee hosts the Region C tournament, Wythe must win twice to make the state.
by CNB