Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 2, 1993 TAG: 9309020624
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-39 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BRIAN DeVIDO STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Highlanders have lost three starters, including point guard/center Nikki Hall, the 1992 district player of the year; forward Bobbi Jo Wright, who was Glenvar's leading scorer last year; and guard Amy Moses.
They will start a freshman at center.
Six of Glenvar's 10 players have no varsity experience.
"I think this is just going to be a teaching year," head coach Dennis Layman says. "We just want to go in there and be competitive."
Haven't Pioneer District coaches heard this song before?
"There isn't any question other coaches will shake their heads and say, `Right,' but this is the most inexperienced we've ever been," Layman says.
The two returning starters for the Highlanders (18-5 overall, 12-0 in the district last year) are 5-foot-8 junior forward Marilea Hale and 5-6 junior point guard Kristi Robinson, who averaged six points a game last year. Hale, a first-team All-Pioneer District selection, averaged 11 points.
"She's big enough to score on the inside, but she has a nice touch on the outside," Layman says of Hale.
Heather Beverage, a 5-5 senior who backed up Wright last year, will start at shooting guard, 5-4 junior Toree Morris is the top returning three-point shooter and 5-9 freshman Amanda Bishop will start at center.
"I think any time you have a freshman, you bring that inexperience," Layman says of Bishop, "but we have experienced kids on the floor to help her."
\ James River (7-11, 4-8) should improve on last year's finish. Amy Vest, who was a first-team All Pioneer District forward, has graduated, but 5-7 senior point guard Kara Mundy was an all-district selection last year. Angie Johnson, a 5-9 junior center, was the Knights' top rebounder last year. Laura Cook, a 5-9 senior forward, "should pick up a lot of the scoring," and 5-8 senior forward Teresa Hickman should be an inside force for the Knights, coach Sheila Proffitt says.
"This group likes to run," Proffitt says. "We'll be a fast team."
\ Craig County (4-14, 2-10) fields a young team led by Crissy Robertson, who was a first-team all-district selection last year. The 5-10 junior guard led the Rockets in scoring.
Robertson is the only returning starter, and Craig County will be led by a group of sophomores: 5-4 guard Bonnie Boardwine and 5-5 forwards Laura Nelson and Crystal Spangler. Rebekah Peters, a 5-11 freshman, and Beverly Myers, a 5-10 sophomore, will battle for the starting job at center.
\ Bath County, which reached a Region C semifinal last year, is led by 5-8 Ricketta Ricketts; Highland has little height or experience; Parry McCluer is paced by Stephanie Rhodes, a 5-5 all-district guard; and Covington has a strong inside game, thanks to 5-9 sophomore Michelle Jeter.
by CNB