Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 3, 1991 TAG: 9103030063
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: RAY COX SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: ANDERSON, S.C. LENGTH: Medium
Purnell clearly has developed a legitimate fondness for this group and he wanted to make that clear to the players after the Highlanders were ousted from the Big South Conference tournament 69-56 by Augusta in Friday night's semifinals.
Even if Radford had been a complete dud at the league tournament, which it was not, the season still would have been an unqualified triumph.
"They've had a great, great year," Purnell said. "I'm very, very proud of them."
The Highlanders, 7-22 a year ago, arose from the deck to sculpt their first 20-win season in Division I and only the second ever for men's basketball at Radford. The Highlanders finished 22-7.
In so doing, they secured Purnell's regime. The third-year coach was rewarded with a new contract and assurances have come from his bosses in the university administration that they share in his vision of the program's future.
That future looks pretty good. Radford loses only one senior, four-year starting center Ron Shelburne, and returns five of its top six scorers and five of its top six rebounders, including team leader (6.6 per game) Tyrone Travis.
Shelburne goes out as Radford's all-time leader in points, starts and games played. His tenacity and leadership will not easily be replaced.
Most of his share of the chores is likely to be assumed by rising junior Tom Gallaher, who has played in every game this season. Gallaher is a smart player, but (unlike Shelburne) not a particularly physical one. Nevertheless, he ought to be able to pick up some of the scoring and rebounding load. Other inside contributions will come from Jose Ortiz, for whom the coaches seem to hold high hopes, and Pete Reece, primarily a defender and rebounder. Reece, a junior, has shown little development as an offensive threat since he's been at Radford.
Chris Hawkins has proven to be an able point guard, although his coaches would prefer that he be more judicious in his defensive techniques. Hawkins led the team in fouls (91) and disqualifications (five). Nate Joy has been for two years an effective backup at the point.
Radford will have a quality transfer in Brian Schmall, the former Augusta point man who sat out the past season in accordance with NCAA dictates. Hawkins will be extremely difficult to unseat, so Schmall figures to be a part-timer. Travis, a left-hander with inside-outside abilities on the wing, is certain to become a more prominent player in Purnell's scheme. It was no coincidence that when Travis was not troubled by the shoulder injury that had hampered him during the early part of the season, Radford was a much better team.
In addition to his shooting and rebounding, Travis displayed an uncanny ability as a shot-blocker. At 6 feet 7, he swatted away a school-record 54 during the regular season and rejected six more in the tournament's opening-round victory over Charleston Southern.
Fifty more blocks were contributed by junior Stephen Barber and freshman Don Burgess.
Barber is the team's most versatile player and can play anything from point guard to power forward. He continues to be the defensive stopper and the team's emotional leader.
Burgess, a 6-7 reed who suffered a dislocated shoulder in the semifinal loss to the Jaguars, is one of the league's best freshmen. He moved into a starter's role in the latter half of the season and would seem to be a fixture there the next three years.
Then there is the team's most explosive player, guard Doug Day, chosen along with Shelburne to the all-conference team. Barring catastrophe, Day will be the school's leading scorer, probably by next season. He finished the regular season with 875 points and the conference scoring crown (20.4 points per game).
Day sank an astounding 99 3-pointers and had games in which he scored 43 and 38 points. Because of the spectacular scoring and long-range bombing, it is often overlooked that Day has developed into a fine all-around performer. He was third on the team in assists (51), fourth in blocks (11) and second in steals (43) while never fouling out of a game.
Still, Radford has deficiencies. As one long-time Highlanders observer it, "We have not one complete player." True, but players such as Day, Travis, Hawkins, and Burgess have potential.
Radford neither rebounded nor shot particularly well, which made the record total of victories more surprising. If the team does not improve in those areas, then it will be destined for some serious disappointments next year.
That is so because the Highlanders certainly will be identified as one of the top two or three teams in the league before next season.
With a little work and maybe some luck, Radford could win its first league crown.
by CNB