Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 2, 1993 TAG: 9312020049
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Now you know that this year's Piedmont District race has a pretty good squad named Magna Vista with a coach who has won four state titles at two schools.
Young's most recent state title came in 1989 when Magna Vista, in its first year as a school, annexed the Group AA crown. Previously, Young had won three Group A state championships at Drewry Mason, one of the schools that gave up high school students when Magna Vista was created.
The Warriors return the top five scorers headed by 5-foot-9 guard Marcus Toney (16.5 points per game). Other double figure scorers are 5-10 Evan Penn (14.5), 6-5 Tony Holmes (12.5) and 6-0 Rodney Redd (12.0).
Rebounding could be a problem, as it was last year when Magna Vista finished 15-7. Holmes is the top returning rebounder with six per game.
Defending champion Laurel Park was hit heavily by graduation. Still, the Lancers figure to be strong again in the Piedmont District race with 6-4 1/2 Warrick Scott (9.5 ppg), son of coach Frank Scott, leading the way as the top returnee.
No one knows when Martinsville's Husky Hall will retire as coach, but the Bulldogs just keep winning as long as he's there. Last year, Martinsville made the Group AA state semifinals along with Laurel Park. Like the Lancers, the Bulldogs were hit heavily by graduation and will build around guard Michael Martin (15.1 ppg), guard Todd Johnson (6.4 ppg) and 6-0 forward Matthew Durand.
Bassett will be young again, but the Bengals return 6-1 Art Wade (25.4 ppg), Timesland's leading scorer last winter.
Fieldale-Collinsville is also young. The Cavaliers' top returning scorer is 5-10 Ben Seay (8.1 ppg).
\ Blue Ridge
\ Alleghany hopes to emerge from what could be a six-team race for the championship. Last year, there appeared to be four teams headed for a tie when Salem upset the Mounties away from home to give the Spartans the crown all alone.
Alleghany will be led by 6-5 Todd Wheatley (17.3 ppg, 11.9 rebounds per game). He'll get rebounding help from 6-2 Jermaine Winston, who went out with a stress fracture of his ankle last winter.
Rockbridge County starts a new era under Damon Williams, half the twin contingent that was famous at William Fleming and VMI. Brother Ramon is an assistant coach at VMI. The Wildcats return their top two scorers, 6-0 Marty Early (15.6 ppg) and 6-1 Kenny Lewis (13.4 ppg). Both were instrumental in the Wildcats' Blue Ridge District football title and Damon Williams hopes it spills over to his basketball team.
\ Pioneer
This could be a three-team fight with Covington leading the way to unseat defending champion Glenvar. The Cougars welcome back top scorers Van Wallace (23.1 ppg) and guard Keeno Jones (15.0 ppg). The Cougars' first victory will be coach Brad Morton's 250th at the school.
Parry McCluer has the most height in the district and should be in the title fight. The Fighting Blues are led by 6-2 Nathan Baker (14.4 ppg, 8.9 rpg) along with 6-4 Brian Sizemore (8.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg).
Bath County is paced by 5-8 guard Michael Edwards (6.9 ppg) and has good depth. The Chargers need to develop a leader to challenge for the top.
Highland is paced by 6-1 John Hull (10 ppg) under new coach Dennis Simmons. \
Mountain Empire
Defending champion Grayson County was hit by graduation and the loss of its coach, Rick Cormany to Radford. New coach John Ayers inherits 6-5 center Bryan Boyer.
Rocky Gap also has size in 6-5 sophomore Nathan Blessing. However, arch rivalBland has a front line that averages 6-5 in Jess and Andy Selfe, and Shannon Havens. The best player for Bland, though, will be Kevin King (17 ppg).
Fort Chiswell is young with sophomore Brad Hughes starting for a second straight year as well as 10th-grader Shannon Jonas, son of coach Danny Jonas, and junior Jody Burnett, the team's best player.
\ Hogoheegee
New Rural Retreat coach Russell Kelly hopes to duplicate what the girls' team did this fall in winning the district title. Kelly will build around 6-5 Stephen Pratt (9.8 ppg, 11 rpg) and 6-2 Bradley Guynn (9.3 ppg, 9.4 rpg).
George Wythe is led by 5-8 guard Jeff Bourne (6.3 ppg) and has five players who started at some point last year.
\ Others
Carlisle already has won a game under new coach Jeff Adkins, a former University of Maryland and Martinsville High star. Adkins will have some height in 6-4 Brian Hardy and 6-3 Paul Ford.
Covington Boys' Home will be led once again by Donnie Costigan (22.3 ppg) who was third in Timesland scoring a year ago.
by CNB