Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 25, 1995 TAG: 9511260008
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
``I was mad at myself because I felt I played terrible,'' Staples, a sophomore from Roanoke, said. ``Coach [Jeff] Jones said, `You didn't play bad.' And I was like, `What was he looking at?'''
Staples was so upset with his shooting that it never occurred to him that he had tied a school record in Virginia's season-opening 84-65 victory over Tennessee-Martin.
Staples, a 6-foot-3 guard, finished with seven steals to join Othell Wilson, who accomplished the feat twice, and Richard Morgan in the Cavaliers' record book.
Staples and Morgan, another Roanoke Valley product, had been linked previously when Staples broke many of Morgan's school records for 3-point shooting last season.
``It's an honor for me because I've always been acknowledged for my offense,'' Staples said. ``I'm not satisfied at all, but it was one of my best games defensively.''
Staples had 17 points to lead six UVa players who scored in double figures, but he made only five of 15 shots from the field, including three of 13 3-pointers.
``At least I did something good,'' said Staples, whose previous high for steals in a game was four against VMI last December. ``I wasn't thinking about steals the whole game. I didn't know how many I had.
``I think I was rushing my shot a little bit. I was so anxious because it was the first game. I wanted to get going. I was really hyper before the game. That's all it was.''
Staples' backcourt partner, Harold Deane, had some of the same problems. Deane was 4-of-11 from the field, missing all five of his shots in the second half, but he wasn't needed.
Tennessee-Martin, coming off a 7-20 season in 1994-95, was 10-of-28 on 3-pointers but was no match for the bigger Cavaliers. UVa outrebounded the Skyhawks 55-33.
Sophomore forward Norman Nolan had 10 points and 11 rebounds in his first career start and freshman Scott Johnson also had a double-double - 11 points and 11 rebounds - in 27 minutes off the bench.
It was an auspicious debut for UVa's freshmen, including 6-6 Courtney Alexander, who contributed 15 points and seven rebounds as something of a surprise starter.
``I've been watching him play in practice,'' Staples said, ``so, I'm not surprised. To tell the truth, he deserved [the start]. It wasn't just handed to him.''
Many felt Jamal Robinson had the inside track after starting 17 of 34 games last year, but Robinson was effective off the bench Friday night, with 11 points and seven rebounds.
Jones said he wouldn't promise a different lineup Monday, when the Cavaliers entertain William and Mary, ``but there will be changes,'' he said. ``We feel like we've got six starters.''
In addition to the recruits, Alexander and Johnson, the Cavaliers got a solid 15 minutes from 7-foot-4 Chase Metheney, a redshirt freshman who was making his debut against collegiate opposition.
Metheney was pressed into early service when starting center Chris Alexander picked up two early fouls and showed few jitters. His first field goal came on a sky hook and he later delighted the crowd by slamming a follow shot.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
by CNB