Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 4, 1993 TAG: 9304050205
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
BETHEL'S IVERSON TOPS ALL-GROUP AAA TEAM
Allen Iverson, a Bethel junior who was The Associated Press' football player of the year in Group AAA, has been voted boys' basketball player of the year.Iverson, Damon Bacote of Hampton, Joey Beard of South Lakes, Edmond Sherod Jr., of John Marshall and Joe Smith of Maury are the All-Group AAA team chosen in balloting by sportswriters and broadcasters from across the state. All but Iverson are seniors.
Will Robinson of Woodbridge is the coach of the year.
The second team is Carlos Rhodes of William Fleming, James Pelham of Hopewell, Tony Rutland of Bethel, Greg Smith of Patrick Henry-Ashland, and Greg Williams of W.T. Woodson.
Rhodes, a 6-foot-3 senior, was the Roanoke Valley District player of the year. He averaged 18 points and shot 43.7 percent (52-of-119) from 3-point range.
The 6-1 Iverson, who was named to the football team as a kick returner and a defensive back, played point guard for the Bruins. He averaged 32 points, eight assists and six rebounds in leading Bethel to the state championship. Iverson had 28 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and five steals in the title game as Bethel defeated John Marshall 77-71.
Sherod, a 6-4 forward, averaged 19 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and four steals for state runner-up John Marshall. He led the Justices with 34 points in the title game. Sherod will attend Old Dominion.
Beard, a 6-10 center, was also on last year's first team. He averaged 21 points a game for South Lakes. He had 35 points and 27 rebounds when the Seahawks beat T.C. Williams in the region tournament. He has signed with Duke.
Smith, a 6-9 center, averaged 20 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks. He scored 37 of Maury's 50 points in a regional semifinal loss to Bethel. Other season highs included 23 rebounds and 11 blocks. Smith will play for Maryland.
Bacote, a 6-3 swingman, averaged 31 points and 10 rebounds a game. He is Hampton's all-time scoring leader with 1,738 career points. Bacote has signed with Richmond.
Robinson guided Woodbridge (25-3) to its third consecutive regular-season Commonwealth District title and its first state tournament appearance. The Vikings were defeated 72-65 in overtime by Bethel in the semifinals.
\ ALL-GROUP AA BOYS' BASKETBALL TEAM FIRST TEAM
Damon Bacote (Hampton, 6 feet 3, Sr.)
Joey Beard (South Lakes, 6-10, Sr.)
Allen Iverson (Bethel, 6-1, Jr.)
Edmund Sherod Jr. (John Marshall, 6-4, Sr.)
Joe Smith (Maury, 6-9, Sr.)
\ PLAYER OF THE YEAR Allen Iverson, Bethel
\ COACH OF THE YEAR
Will Robinson, Woodbridge
\ SECOND TEAM
James Pelham, Hopewell, 6-1, Sr.;
Carlos Rhodes, William Fleming, 6-3, Sr.;
Tony Rutland, Bethel, 6-1, Jr.;
Greg Smith, Patrick Henry-Ashland, 6-5, Sr.;
Greg Williams, W.T. Woodson, 6-2, Sr.