Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, December 2, 1994 TAG: 9412030015
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Martinsville and Laurel Park have the makings of Group AA state powers. Last year, the Piedmont was left out of the state tournament while Blue Ridge District members Northside and Salem advanced from Region III.
Parry McCluer also is ready to return as a Group A state power after losing in a close championship game against William Monroe last winter.
At Martinsville, this will be the final year for Husky Hall. He has 591 career wins, the most by a Virginia High School League coach. Unlike Parry McCluer football coach Bob Williams, who announced his retirement needing four victories for 200 [he finished with 198], Hall will have no trouble reaching 600.
If he doesn't, he won't stay around.
``I told the school board that this would be my last year at Martinsville,'' Hall said. ``I think it's time to leave Martinsville. I don't intend to coach anywhere else, but I'm not ruling out anything.''
The Bulldogs return three starters and one of them, 6-foot forward Michael Martin, is one of Timesland's best with a 22.4 scoring average. Carlos Martin scored 13.1 points per game last season while Manti Venable averaged 10.1 as a freshman.
The Bulldogs also have 6-6 transfer Marcus Seaton, but he'll miss the first week with a knee injury. Jeremy Wells, whose brother Travis was a top point guard for the Bulldogs, will be at the point and his twin, Josh, also will see considerable playing time.
``I would say we're ahead of last year. We were not a good shooting team last year. If we could have made 10- and 15-footers, we'd have gone a long way,'' said Hall of his club that went 17-3 during the regular season and lost in the Region III semifinals.
Laurel Park coach Frank Scott has four returning starters, including his son, 6-41/2 Warrick Scott (14.5 ppg). The others are 6-6 Girard Foster (13.5 ppg.), 5-8 guard Corey Wilson (9.0 ppg.) and 6-1 guard Darrell Wilson (12.2 ppg.).
``We've got a good nucleus coming back. I think we'll possibly be strong by the end of the season,'' said Frank Scott, whose team still must develop some depth.
Fieldale-Collinsville is led by 6-2 Brian Alley (8.0 ppg.), but will be tough if 6-5 David Hairston and 6-71/2 Neil Harbour step in from the junior varsity with success. Bassett is led by 6-3 Tyree Hairston (15.7 ppg.), but will be slow starting because the football team's success. Guard Jermaine Simmons (8.0 ppg.) paces a young Magna Vista squad.
In the Pioneer District, Parry McCluer must fight off challenges from Glenvar and Covington. The Fighting Blue are paced by 6-5 Mike McElroyh (15.6 ppg.) and 6-5 Brian Sizemore (8.6 ppg.) plus several other players who gained a lot of playing time.
``This group has the potential to be very competitive as the season progresses,'' said coach Nelson Fox, who entered his team in the tough Holiday Hoops Classic at Salem, which has only Group AAA and AA teams competing.
Covington has adequate size inside, but guard Robert Roman (6.6 ppg.) is the best scorer coming back. Bath County and new coach Richard McElwee will build around 6-1 Pat Lennon (12.6 ppg.).
In the Blue Ridge District, new coach Carl Watson hopes that Alleghany can compete with 6-2 guard James Hughes (12.1 ppg.) and Covington Boys' Home transfer Donnie Costigan (23.8 ppg.), who was second in Timesland scoring last year. Rockbridge County will be led by 6-3 Rob Hoyle (7.3 ppg.).
In the Hogoheegee District, George Wythe returns four starters headed by 6-3 Aaron Andrews (17.4 ppg.) and 6-1 Andre Cook (10.1 ppg.), but must find a point guard.
In the Mountain Empire District, Grayson County has plenty of height led by 6-7 Brian Boyer (20.0 ppg., 12.2 rebounds per game). Fort Chiswell returns four starters paced by 6-2 center Anthony Watson (21.6 ppg.) and point guard Shannon Jonas (6.0 ppg., 5 assists per game).
by CNB