Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 12, 1993 TAG: 9306120089
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Harrison's offensive statistics even paled somewhat when compared to those of teammate Yo Helm, an infielder. Still, when it came down to picking the most feared player in Timesland, Harrison qualifies. She also qualifies as the repeat choice as Timesland's player of the year.
Harrison is one of five returning first-team selections. That group also includes Helm, Fieldale-Collinsville infielder Kelly Fackler, Glenvar infielder-pitcher Bobbie Jo Wright and Lord Botetourt pitcher Janell Sowers.
The 1993 team also features a pair of Piedmont District standouts - outfielder Temika Hodge of Magna Vista and Tunstall's Brenda LaFlamme, a fastball pitcher who lives up to her name as one of Timesland's best flamethrowers in years.
The catcher is Liberty's Kelly Witt. The other infielder is sophomore Shannon Smithson off Cave Spring's Roanoke Valley District championship team. The outfield is completed by James River's Kara Mundy, and the designated hitter is freshman Ronda Rankin of Salem.
Glenvar's Spike Harrison, whose team is seeking its third consecutive Group A state title, is the coach of the year.
The team was picked by the sports department of the Roanoke Times & World-News in consultation with area coaches.
The battle for player of the year was a four-way race among Michelle Harrison, Wright, LaFlamme and Sowers. The deciding factor was the Region III tournament, in which Salem was the runner-up to Rustburg and earned another trip to the state tournament.
"I didn't have the year hitting that I had last year, but I did fine in the outfield," said Michelle Harrison, who batted .545. "My goal is to improve every year, but .600 [she hit .667 in 1992] is hard to beat."
Harrison comes from a family of softball players, including her mother and several aunts.
The Salem star also is an accomplished basketball players, with two second-team All-Timesland selections to her credit. This season, she led the Spartans to the Group AA state tournament.
"I like whichever sport is in season," said Harrison, who plans to play basketball and softball at North Carolina Central University.
Spike Harrison has been turning out strong teams at Glenvar for years, but this season might have been his most difficult. He lost one of his best players when pitcher Nikki Hall, a second-team All-Timesland choice in 1992, decided not to play.
Then Harrison's son, John, who had been battling cancer, died shortly after the season began.
"I'll tell you the truth: I don't know whether I've dealt with the whole thing yet," Harrison said. "Coaching keeps me busy and focused instead of shouting at the moon.
"I know things I haven't totally resolved yet and it might come when [it slows down and the season is over]."
Harrison is a crafty coach. He gave his team a jump start in the 90-plus-degree heat as Glenvar battled Honaker on Thursday in the first round of the Group A state tournament.
When it was apparent the Highlanders weren't going to hit, Harrison had them bunting and taking extra bases. Glenvar manufactured four runs from a stagnant offense to advance to a semifinal.
There are two veteran players on the All-Timesland team - Wright and Sowers. Both have made their teams dominant in the state, though Lord Botetourt was eliminated this year by Region III champion Rustburg. Wright has been an excellent hitter, and Sowers' pitching has been the reason the Cavaliers have twice made the Group AA state championship game.
The top newcomer is Salem designated hitter Rankin, whose pitching is just as strong as her hitting. If she can maintain her current pace for three more seasons, Rankin will finish her career with more than 200 RBI, nearly 40 homers and about 40 pitching victories.
LaFlamme is the most complete player. As a pitcher, she had the best year of any Timesland performer at that position. She also hit .407. She had no stolen bases, but that was because her coach ordered not to risk an injury by stealing.
by CNB