Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 27, 1995 TAG: 9508280033
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: D-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FLOYD LENGTH: Medium
But the word that's going around the Three Rivers District is that if you intend to beat Floyd County, this year is the time to do it.
The rationale: The Buffaloes won't have the overpowering size they have had nor will they have the experience. Furthermore, this school of thought goes, by the time Floyd County arrives at the district schedule, it will have been softened up by a September stretch in which it plays nothing but strong Group AA teams.
``Hopefully, in the long run we'll be better off for playing those teams,'' said Alan Cantrell, the Buffaloes' coach.
Floyd County will be much more guard-oriented than it has been in the past several years. Melissa Cantrell, a four-year starter, is the team's most experienced athlete, as well as its leading returning scorer (11.0 points per game, 5.0 assists per game). The coach's daughter will shift back and forth between point guard and shooting guard as the need arises.
Sonya Hylton, a junior, spelled Cantrell at the point last year and she could be seeing more time there this year. Others who should stay busy this season include fireball wing Sara Conner (10.0 ppg) and sophomores Julie Sowers and Jill Quesenberry, both forwards. Wings Sara Fralin and Charity Shrewsbury also figure to see plenty of action.
If Floyd County falters, Radford could step into the title picture.
The biggest boost for the Bobcats will be the return of point guard Charlee Taylor, who missed all of last season with a knee injury. Taylor will take a lot of the pressure off Crystal Hubbard (14.7 ppg, 3.2 rebounds par game), who moved to the point and led the team last year. Hubbard will move back to her natural position of forward.
Sophomores Jennifer Shrader and Jenny Greco also will vie for starting positions, along with center Kim Kimbleton.
At Auburn, the big news is the arrival of 6-foot senior Crystal Moles, a double-figure scorer last year at Christiansburg who is considered a Division I college prospect.
Other than Moles, the next most seasoned player is center Amy Davis, a senior. The probable point guard, Anna Smith, is a sophomore.
``We're going to be young, young, young,'' said Eagles coach Tim Goetz.
Shawsville will have a youthful cast, too. The leading returning scorer is Beth Burdette (7.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg), who moves from point guard to forward. Other battle-tested players are senior forward Niki Creed and junior guard Mandi Forster.
The starting lineup could include a freshman, two sophomores, a junior and a senior.
Nobody in the district can match up with Giles as far as size is concerned. Gina Claytor (9.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg) and Keli Ratcliffe (6.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg), a pair of 6-footers, give the Spartans the most imposing frontcourt in the league.
Billie Jean Kirk is the defensive stopper and Keeli Whetzel will occupy the point, a position at which she started briefly when the 1994 season began.
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH: 1, Floyd County; 2, Radford; 3, Giles; 4, Auburn; 5, Shawsville.
by CNB