Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 28, 1991 TAG: 9103280077
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: From Associated Press and staff reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Hodge, who matched Ralph Sampson's state-tournament game record of 26 rebounds against Southampton, has been voted the Group AA player of the year on the team voted on by state sportswriters and sportscasters.
Pope has turned the Northside program around the past three years to make it a contender on the state level. The Vikings made their first trip to the state since 1979 when they played in the Group AAA tournament as a member of the Roanoke Valley District.
Hodge is joined on the All-Group AA team by another prominent Timesland player, John Baker of Northside. Hodge and Baker dominated Timesland scoring as they ranked 1-2 the entire year. Both are juniors.
Other members of the All-Group AA team are Shannon Barefield and Robbie Howard of Group AA champion Waynesboro, and Doug Hines of Southampton, who keyed the Indians' upset of No. 1 Laurel Park in the Group AA tournament.
The AP's second team consists of Harold Deane Jr. and Chris White of Matoaca, Michael Gardner of James Monroe, Percy Ellsworth of Southampton and Marcus Reed of Robert E. Lee-Staunton.
The 6-foot-8 Hodge averaged 25.9 points and 13 rebounds for Laurel Park. In the Region III final, the junior had 43 points and 24 rebounds against Northside in a 101-81 victory.
Hodge made 63.4 percent of his field-goal attempts and 72 percent of his free throws. Hodge tied Sampson's rebounding record and scored 28 points against Southampton, but the Lancers lost in overtime.
Hodge was most surprised when told of the honor. "I was walking along thinking, `No way in a million years,' " he said. "Then someone told me I was player of the year and I was shocked."
Hodge is one of Timesland's more popular and visible athletes. He rarely grimaces under the most trying of conditions.
"His temperament on the court is that he's competitive, yet not savage," Laurel Park coach Frank Scott said. "He understands he'll get some licks and won't always get the calls he should. But he takes it in stride and he has a tremendous disposition."
Pope's Northside team had a 23-3 record, the best in the school's history. The Vikings went 20-1 during the regular season, losing to Magna Vista when Baker and another regular did not play.
Baker, at 6-2, averaged 22.3 points and led the Vikings with 7.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists. He scored a career-high 39 points, including 7-of-10 shooting from 3-point range in the Region III semifinals as Northside beat Nelson County 84-75 to earn a trip to the state. Baker scored 34 points, including 6-of-11 shooting on 3-pointers, in a 75-68 state-tournament loss to Matoaca.
"I'm kind of overwhelmed. I don't know how to put it in words, but it feels good, very good," Pope said. "I think when you have good players and good [assistant] coaches, those are the ones who make this possible."
About Baker, Pope said: "John's performance all year has been great. Down the stretch his game improved. He expanded it by becoming a better passer and a better rebounder. His defense steadily improved throughout the year."
Barefield, a 6-3 senior, averaged 18 points, 6.7 rebounds and four assists for the Little Giants. He has 977 career points.
Howard, a 6-6 senior, averaged 21.5 points, 11.3 rebounds and shot 58.1 percent. He scored a career-high 35 points in the Region II semifinals against James Monroe. He has 1,109 career points.
He led champion Waynesboro to its first Group AA tournament since 1960.
Hines averaged 20.4 points, 17 rebounds and 8.1 blocks for Southampton. The 6-8 senior is nicknamed "Dunkin" because of his reputation for making spectacular dunks.
by CNB