Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 1, 1994 TAG: 9412210035
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Not once, but twice. Usually, Virginia Independent Conference teams rarely test the waters above the Group AA level. If the Cougars put it together, the Celtics could be in for a couple of long games.
``We needed a game and they needed one,'' said Celtic assistant coach Dick Wall, who set up what will either be a mismatch or prove that this is indeed Catholic's year in sports.
``We were scheduled to be in the North Cross tournament, but they moved it to the week before Christmas when we have exams.''
The Celtics are coming off an unbeaten football season in which they rolled to the Virginia Independent Schools Division I state championship. That was one miracle, so what's left for basketball?
Well, two of the returning starters are Tony Joyce and P.L. Bratton, two of the main cast in the football success, especially Joyce, who was the quarterback, defensive back and return specialist for Catholic football.
Among other key players are Rod Tasco, a 6-foot-2-inch junior, and Chris Roberts, a 5-foot-11-inch senior: two more big names from football. So the challenge of playing Pulaski County might not be that wild.
``I don't think we'll win them all,'' says Wall, a Roanoke lawyer who helps with basketball in his spare time.
``These players have another year of experience. We lack a little in height, but this is a good bunch that should improve on last year's record.''
While Roanoke Catholic moves up, North Cross fights to keep from moving down. With high scorers Marcus Cardwell, Monty Smith and Hal Johnson a year ago, the Raiders struggled to an 11-9 mark. In the VIC, North Cross was 10-4 but still split with Catholic.
Cardwell (18.3 ppg.) graduated. Smith, the leading scorer in Timesland with a 24.1 average, transferred to Patrick Henry. That leaves only Johnson (13.9 ppg.). He might be the best big man in the VIC, and he can shoot 3-point goals. However, as it was in football, Johnson can't do it all so coach Jim Muscaro will have to find him some help.
``Johnson is one of the best we've had,'' said Muscaro, whose team has played and competed with many Group AA teams over the past few years. ``Some of the other guys have played, but we don't have a lot of depth. We're looking for six or seven people who can carry the load.''
Johnson will probably sign a football grant-in-aid during the winter. He was Timesland's second-leading passer. He also could play basketball in college, and with his grades, he'll probably choose a school for academics as much as athletics.
Roanoke Valley Christian returns three starters and hopes to improve on last year's overall losing record while moving up in the VIC.
``Team chemistry is better. We struggled with it. I'm more excited about this team,'' said Eagle coach Jim Farmer.
Height and returning points might be a problem. The three starters combined for only a little more than 18 points, and the Eagles have no one taller than 6 feet 2 inches.
All three teams are likely to be chasing Carlisle for the VIC crown. The Martinsville school is rebuilding under second-year coach Jeff Adkins, who has brought in several new players.
``We're lucky in that we don't play them until later in the season,'' said Farmer, who hopes that by then his team will be ready to take on anyone in the VIC.
NORTH CROSS
93-94 record:11-9 overall, 10-4 in Virginia Independent Conference.
Coach: Jim Muscaro, 22nd year
Returning starters: Hal Johnson, 6-6, sr., center, 13.9 ppg., and John Prillaman, 6-2, sr., forward, 7.0 ppg.
Other key players: Brian Whitaker, 6-2, jr., forward; Mark Levan, 5-8, jr., guard; Alex Kelley, 6-2, sr., forward; and William Watkins, 6-0, jr., guard.
Outlook: The Raiders will have a hard time matching last year's record. In Johnson, they might have the best big man in the Virginia Independent Conference, but there are not many other points coming back.
ROANOKE CATHOLIC
93-94 record: 9-14 overall, 5-9 in the Virginia Independent Conference
Coach: Roger Henderson, second year
Returning starters: Tony Joyce, 5-10, sr., guard, 7.0 ppg.; P.L. Bratton, 6-2, sr., forward-center, 8.0 ppg., 8.0 rpg.; and Mike Wierzbic, 6-2, sr., guard-forward, 4.0 ppg., 6.0 rpg.
Other key players: Chris Roberts, 5-11, sr., forward, 6.0 ppg., 6.0 rpg.; Rod Tasco, 6-2, jr., forward-center; Chris Lothes, 6-1, jr., forward; and Brendan McCarthy, 6-0, soph., guard.
Outlook: Can the Celtics' success in football carry over to basketball? Roanoke Catholic returns three starters and plays an ambitious schedule. Lack of height might be a factor.
ROANOKE VALLEY CHRISTIAN
93-94 record:10-14 overall, 8-6 in Virginia Independent Conference
Coach: Jim Farmer, fourth year
Returning starters: Joe Surkamer, 6-2, sr., guard-forward, 5.8 ppg., 3.4 rpg.; Richard Booth, 5-11, sr., point guard, 8.5 ppg.; Joel Nester, 6-3, jr., guard-forward, 4.3 ppg., 2.8 rpg.
Other key players: Mark Arbogast, 6-0, jr., guard; Sandy Griffin, 6-2, sr., forward; Jamie Hurt, 6-2, sr., forward.
Outlook:There isn't much experience or height, but look for the Eagles to steadily improve and perhaps be a factor in the VIC race late in the season. Depth will also be a factor as Farmer will start out depending mainly on six players.
by CNB