Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 1, 1994 TAG: 9412010055
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CHRIS KING SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: NARROWS LENGTH: Medium
With four starters returning from a squad that won nine of its last 12 games to close last season, the Green Wave boys basketball team hopes to surge to the top of the Mountain Empire District. The most notable of the returnees is guard Patrick Bailey, a first team All-District and Region pick last season.
Bailey averaged 20 points per game last season and shot a 52 percent from behind the three point line, a Timesland best. In addition to his perimeter prowess he will be counted on to penetrate and create more opportunities for his teammates from his shooting guard position this season.
"He has gotten a lot quicker and stronger," said Narrows coach Steve Lusk. "He is shooting the ball 3 and 4 feet behind the line. The one thing that will be different is that he will take the ball to the hole more this season."
Bryan Pruett, a member of the last season's Sizzlin' Sophomore team, also will be counted on to step up his game. Pruett averaged 13 ppg and 6.5 rebounds per game last year and has added three inches of height to his now 6-4 frame.
"I think he will be a force inside, but he can play outside as well," said Lusk. "He provides us with good balance."
Joining Pruett in the front court will be center Scott Vaught and power forward Norman Perkins. Perkins moved into the Green Wave's starting lineup late in the season, increasing the focus on defense and rebounding.
"We added Perkins into the lineup [after the 1-8 start] and he was a force on the boards," Lusk said. "But this year we will be concentrating on defense and rebounding from day one. It turned our season around last year."
Also expected to play key roles in Narrows' up-tempo style of play will be transfers Greg Robertson and Cody Chambers. Robertson will see action at point guard and Chambers will provide the Green Wave with depth up front.
"We are definitely going to push the ball up down the floor," Lusk said. "We have the talent and depth to play man to man. We go eight or nine players deep and we will keep fresh people in."
If the Green Wave is to be successful, they will have to hold off the challenge of several other formidable Mountain Empire District foes.
Grayson County will once again be a force relying on a potent inside game and is one of the favorites to capture the district crown.
Fort Chiswell is returning four starters, including Jody Burnett who averaged 22 ppg and 11 rpg last season. Fort Chiswell will apply more full court pressure this season and is expected to contend.
Rocky Gap will be looking to Nathan Blessing and Will Dodson to anchor its front line and help the team improve on last season's performance. Coach Charlie Puckett will feature a balanced attack and his team will have to rebound better if Rocky Gap hopes to reach the next level.
For Bland coach Rich Hankins, the football team's success has once again slowed the development of his squad on the hardwood. When his entire squad returns it will look to Shannon Havens to carry much of the burden of improving on last season's 10-12 finish.
by CNB