Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 9, 1995 TAG: 9504100019
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: D-12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In the past few years, coach Art Lawrence's Glenvar teams have dominated Group A boys' tennis, winning three consecutive state championships.
With every player back, Lawrence might have a fourth consecutive state championship team. He also might be better known for his basketball coaching this year.
Lawrence is the Timesland's boys' basketball coach of the year, after his Highlanders finished second to William Monroe in the Group A tournament.
Glenvar (20-9) appeared to be on the verge of winning the championship game when William Monroe's Percy White, the state's best Group A player, took control in the final seconds.
This was the best season in Glenvar boys' basketball history in terms of victories. The 1975 team captured the Group AA title, but won fewer games.
This team also made Glenvar's first trip to the state tournament since 1975, though for several seasons, the Highlanders were a junior high entry.
Lawrence forecasted a Pioneer District title for his team this year, but that wasn't overconfidence. He simply thought his team would compete for state honors. As it was, Glenvar finished in a three-way tie for the Pioneer District title, then won the tournament.
``This year meant a lot, because this is what you strive to do'' as a coach, Lawrence said. ``Every year, a coach feels deep down inside the goal is to go to the state [tournament].''
There was a sense of frustration heading into the season because Glenvar had been to the Region C tournament the previous five years, but hadn't reached the state tournament.
``I was starting to wonder if I could get a team out of the first round of the regional,'' Lawrence said. ``It was a load off my shoulders to win a regional game.''
Still, his best job of coaching came in the state tournament. First, the Highlanders polished off a heavily favored Twin Springs team that had state tournament experience and prestige going for it over the Highlanders.
Next came a game against 27-1 Nandua, which might have been the most talented Group A team in the state. The Highlanders erased a 10-point lead in the final four minutes to win the game and earn a trip to the championship round.
Lawrence's efforts didn't go in vain in this game. For the first 28 minutes of the title game, Lawrence tried a number of strategies, looking for a way to win. Finally, his team's execution came together with Lawrence's plan, producing a sparkling rally.
``I really thought this team was good enough to win the region, but not get to the state finals,'' Lawrence said. ``We didn't have a star player, but I think what we did was a combination of good leadership from Nick Varney and Matt Atkinson and finding the right combination. We struggled early in the season trying to establish roles for the players and finding a combination that worked.
``We were expecting certain things out of certain players, and we found out they couldn't do things we thought they could do. Defense is where the kids came around.''
From that standpoint, it helped that former Cave Spring head coach Rick Crotts joined Lawrence's staff as an assistant. Crotts, who also played at Glenvar, took charge of the defense.
In winning the Timesland award, Lawrence beat out a couple of coaches who either overcame graduation losses or produced the unexpected.
Parry McCluer's Nelson Foxx had only one starter back from last year's Group A runner-up team. Yet, the Fighting Blues split four games with Glenvar and traded tournament championships during their run through district and regional play.
At Liberty, the Minutemen had their finest hour under Mark Hanks, producing a 22-5 record and reaching the semifinal round of the Group AA tournament. Hanks' Liberty squad played tough before losing 78-68 to a strong, physical Nansemond River team that had dominated its Group AA foes.
by CNB