Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 2, 1993 TAG: 9309020516
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-34 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The Cavaliers would win the Blue Ridge District, play the Region III tournament on their floor and advance to the Group AA state tournament. However, Lord Botetourt was upset by William Byrd in a district semifinal - at Lord Botetourt no less - and stayed home as the Terriers advanced to the state title game with three freshmen in their lineup.
It's a year later, and Botetourt has most of the same cast back. The pressure is on again, with the Cavaliers likely to start the season as Timesland's top-ranked team in the High Five ahead of No. 2 Bassett.
Lord Botetourt coach David Wheat is ready. His team opened play Wednesday night against 1992 Group AA champion Blacksburg in the round-robin at Floyd County. Tonight the Cavaliers play Floyd County, a Group A semifinalist, before taking a breather against Patrick County in Saturday's game.
"I like starting off with a tough game," Wheat says. "One of the biggest hurdles our seniors will have is not being overconfident. Everyone looks at us, says we're seniors and that it's our turn.
"I certainly want to win, but at the same time I'm glad we're playing some tough games first," he says. "That's what will make our players realize what it takes to go very far."
Botetourt has height in 6-foot Ashley Moore (15.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game) and 6-1 Jenny Gates (13.0 ppg, 8.6 rpg). Both guards - Laurie Ottaway (5.5 ppg, 5.8 assists I certainly want to win, but at the same time I'm glad we're playing some tough games first. David Wheat Lord Botetourt coach per game) and Whitney Painter (7.0 ppg) are back.
So it's no wonder there are high expectations for the Cavaliers. The only question is who will take over for 5-11 Shannon Gartland, the only senior starter last year. That spot will be filled by either 5-11 Molly McCorkle or 5-11 Jennifer Snodgrass.
Down the road, 5-7 freshman Sara Moore, Ashley's sister, will make her presence felt. She might not grow to be as tall as her sister, but in time she may develop the same skills that make Ashley Moore a likely Division I recruit.
William Byrd will be strong as usual now that 6-1 sophomore Jaclyn Banks has decided not to transfer to Cave Spring after moving into that school zone in the spring.
Banks (10.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg) is one of three freshman starters back from the state finalist team. The others are 5-5 Kelli Runyon (4.1 ppg) and 5-9 Cathy Smith (6.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg).
Two other sophomores, 5-11 Kristi Dyer and 5-6 Kim Kendrick - who was plagued by injuries last year - also may be factors for the Terriers.
Still, Byrd lost Group AA player of the year Sherry Banks (Virginia Tech) and center Ashley McCallum (Roanoke College).
"They were two good leaders who are playing college ball this year," says Richard Thrasher, Byrd's coach. "We have some good people on our team and by the end of the year we should be a good club. So far, though, we don't have a go-to player like Sherry."
The only senior is 5-4 April Maciel, so Byrd is both young and experienced.
Salem was eliminated in the Group AA state tournament by Blacksburg in a tough loss on the Indians' floor. The Spartans won the Blue Ridge District regular-season and tournament titles before losing to Byrd in the Region III tournament. That defeat forced them to play a road game in the first round of state competition.
The Spartans lost all their starters and the only player back with any experience is 5-5 reserve Heather Moore.
"We're inexperienced, we lack height and we have no proven players, as far as shooters and outstanding rebounders," says coach Dee Wright. "But I have 14 girls of equal ability who will probably play many of the same positions."
Northside should improve after winning only two games last year.
"I know we will," says longtime coach Marilyn Bussey. "I can see it in practice by the way it's easier to get the girls to do different things."
The Vikings' top two scorers return in 5-4 Michelle Orlando (11.8 ppg) and 5-9 1/2 Shannon Yopp (10.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg). Northside lost only one senior from last year's team and has only three this year - Orlando, Yopp and 5-7 forward Jennifer Schmidt (5.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg).
Alleghany will give Lord Botetourt and Byrd trouble. The Mountaineers have their top four scorers back, led by 5-6 guards Tricia Rice (14.0 ppg) and Nicole Curtis (13.0 ppg).
Rockbridge County is rebuilding around 5-3 Sarah Dooley (6.1 ppg).
SCHEDULES
Alleghany
Today, Pocahontas; Tuesday, Covington; Wednesday, Parry McCluer; 9, at Pocahontas; 14, Christiansburg; 16, at Covington; 20, at Bath County; 23, at Christiansburg; 27, at Parry McCluer; 29, Bath County.
Oct. 5, at William Byrd; 7, Northside; 12, at Lord Botetourt; 14, Salem; 19, Rockbridge County; 21, William Byrd; 26, at Northside; 28, Lord Botetourt.,
Nov. 2, at Salem; 4, at Rockbridge County.
Lord Botetourt
Wednesday, Blacksburg (at Floyd County); today, at Floyd County; Saturday , Patrick County (at Floyd); Tuesday, at Christiansburg; 9, James River; 14, Covington; 16, at James River; 21, at Radford; 25, Radford; 29, at Covington; 30, Christiansburg.
Oct. 5, Salem; 7, at Rockbridge County; 12, Alleghany; 14, at Northside; 19, William Byrd; 21, at Salem; 26, Rockbridge County; 28, at Alleghany.
Nov. 2, Northside; 4, at William Byrd.
Northside
Today, Glenvar; Saturday, at Radford; 8-9, William Byrd Tipoff Tournament; 16, Christiansburg; 21, Blacksburg; 23, Radford; 27, at Glenvar; 30, at Blacksburg.
Oct. 4, at Christiansburg; 5, Rockbridge County; 7, at Alleghany; 12, at William Byrd; 14, Lord Botetourt; 19, at Salem; 21, at Rockbridge County; 26, Alleghany; 28, William Byrd.
Nov. 2, at Lord Botetourt; 4, Salem.
Rockbridge County
Today, at Parry McCluer; Tuesday, Stuarts Draft; Wednesday, at Bath County; 9, Covington; 13, Parry McCluer; 14, at James River; 16, Bath County; 21, James River; 28, at Stuarts Draft.
Oct. 4, at Covington; 5, at Northside; 7, Lord Botetourt; 12, at Salem; 14, William Byrd; 19, at Alleghany; 21, Northside; 26, at Lord Botetourt; 28, Salem.
Nov. 2, at William Byrd; 4, Alleghany.
Salem
Today, Radford; Tuesday, James River; 9, at Christiansburg; 14, at Blacksburg; 15, Laurel Park; 20, at Laurel Park; 23, Blacksburg; 27, Christiansburg; 30, at Radford.
Oct. 4, at James River; 5, at Lord Botetourt; 7, William Byrd; 12, Rockbridge County; 14, at Alleghany; 19, Northside; 21, Lord Botetourt; 26, at William Byrd; 28, at Rockbridge County.
Nov. 2, Alleghany; 4, at Northside.
William Byrd
Today, Martinsville; 8-9, William Byrd Tipoff Tournament; 11, at Bassett; 14, at Radford; 16, at Glenvar; 20, Bassett; 27, at Martinsville; 28, Radford.
Oct. 2, Glenvar; 5, Alleghany; 7, at Salem; 12, Northside; 14, at Rockbridge; 19, at Lord Botetourt; 21, at Alleghany; 26, Salem; 28, at Northside.
Nov. 2, Rockbridge; 4, Lord Botetourt.
by CNB