Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 27, 1995 TAG: 9508280032
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: D-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It's an early-season showdown between two of Timesland's strongest teams. The Bulldogs join Galax, Liberty and George Wythe as Timesland teams that will be fighting for district titles and a trip to the state tournament in late November.
Martinsville is the strongest Timesland entry in the Piedmont District, which usually is dominated by the Bulldogs or one of the four Henry County schools.
``We'll have as much depth as we've had in a long time,'' said Martinsville coach Carla Giles. ``Last year, with eight people, we didn't have a bench.''
The Bulldogs lost to Byrd in the Region III tournament after splitting two regular-season contests with the Terriers. Martinsville welcomes back Timesland Sizzlin' Sophomore of the Year Erica Brandon (15.9 points per game) at guard, along with 5-8 forward Tresita Holland (15.6 ppg, 5.9 rebounds per game), 5-91/2 forward Jamie Farrington (9.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg) and 5-7 forward Tonya Martin (7.0 ppg).
As if those players weren't enough, 5-9 junior Melody Dallas is back. Dallas moved to New Mexico following a freshman season in which she scored 60 points as a reserve.
Gone, however, is point guard Samantha Ferguson, the Bulldogs' leader. She will be replaced by 5-3 freshman Tekeshia MItchell
Also gone is assistant coach Troy Wells, who is the new boys' coach at Martinsville. Giles and Larry ''Scrooge'' Harrison will coach the varsity and junior varsity
Magna Vista has made strides under coach E.G. Bradshaw and will try to challenge for the Piedmont title behind 6-0 Tanesia Kellam (15.2 ppg). The Warriors are tall, with 6-2 sophomore reserve Sandi Reid (5.0 ppg) looking to dominate inside.
Fieldale-Collinsville will be led by 5-6 guard Yvonne Hall (14.2 ppg) and 6-3 center Tonjonna Hayes (9.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg) as the Cavaliers seek a return trip to the Region III tournament.
Laurel Park has four starters back, including double-figure scorers Latoya Perkins (15.1 ppg) and Isis Paddyfote (10.0 ppg).
Bassett is rebuilding around 5-6 Lynethia Johnson after losing three-time All-Timesland selection Kim Hairston to graduation.
In the Seminole District, longtime Liberty coach David Grant is seeking another trip to the Region III tournament. The Minettes will be led by 5-10 Sue Cowlbeck, a '94 Sizzlin' Sophomore pick, who averaged 10.3 points and 13.3 rebounds per game. Help will come from 5-7 guard Kellea Whorley (9.8 ppg) and 5-9 Felicia Miller (7.0 ppg), but Liberty must catch non-Timesland Amherst County, which looks like the favoritex.
Staunton River is rebuilding around 5-4 Beth Davis (8.0 ppg) and 5-8 Stephanie McCarty (9.0 ppg).
George Wythe might return to the top echelon in the Hogoheegee District. The Maroons have four outstanding juniors in 5-7 Lisa Garland (11.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg), 5-8 Megan Johnson (11.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 5-10 Alethea Lemieux (5.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg) and 5-5 point guard Tonya Cregger (6.0 ppg). ``We're young and short in height, but we have four juniors who are in their third year of varsity basketball,'' said longtime coach Mary Copenhaver.
Rural Retreat has only one returning starter, 5-3 point guard Krystal Dale (5.7 ppg), as it tries to improve on last year's 14-8 record for coach Pat Brewer.
Galax should be the team to beat in the Mountain Empire District. The Maroon Tide has four returning starters, headed by 5-11 Tammy Cox (16.5 ppg, 10.4 rpg), from a team that went 20-6 before running into Group A champion Floyd County in the Region C tournament. Joining Cox as returning starters are 5-10 Erin Kyle (7.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg), 5-5 sophomore guard Tiffany Williams (5.8 ppg) and 5-5 Candi Owen (5.3 ppg).
Narrows also has four starters back, including 5-11 Suzanne Webb (15.3 ppg, 10.0 rpg), who was a Sizzlin' Soph pick. Amanda Clemens (11.0 ppg), a 5-8 guard, shares the scoring load, as does 5-8 Melissa Lawrence (7.5 ppg, 8.4 assists per game). The other returning starter for coach Todd Lusk is 5-9 Becky Turner (8.0 rpg). The Green Wave tied Galax for the regular-season title, but lost a playoff and failed to win a district tournament game.
Fort Chiswell, which upset Narrows in the tournament, has only one returning starter, 5-6 Amber Gunter (9.0 ppg), and must overcome a lack of size to reverse a losing record. Grayson County hopes 5-11 Lindsey Carico (11.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg) and 5-41/2 guard Micki Young (6.0 ppg) can help better a 5-14 record. Rocky Gap looks to improve behind 5-8 Amanda Clark (12.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 4.0 steals per game), while Bland aims to erase the memory of last year's 0-19 record with a veteran team paced by leading scorer Amy Hanshew.
by CNB