Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 30, 1995 TAG: 9511300019
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CHAD WILLIS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Christiansburg emerges from the pack as the preseason favorite. The Blue Demons' roster includes eight seniors, led by all-district performer Darrell Calloway, from a team that earned 20 victories and the district's 1994-95 regular-season title.
But after listening to coach Gerald Thompson talk about his team's chances of repeating, the Blue Demons may not have an easy time of it.
``We've looked a little slow to start out with,'' Thompson said. ``Our chemistry isn't there yet. Hopefully, we'll be able to get it all together pretty quickly. We're a little behind because of football, and we've got to work hard to catch up.''
One player who won't have to get up to speed is Calloway. The senior forward is Thompson's only returning starter and is coming off an all-district season in which he averaged 12.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.
``I just hope that I can provide the team with some leadership,'' Calloway said. ``I think we can win the district this year. It would be nice to go out as a senior and win the last NRVD title.''
Joining Calloway in the Christiansburg frontcourt is Carlton Ashbrook. The senior forward is the only other Blue Demon who saw considerable minutes last season, averaging 16 minutes and 7.9 points per game. Backing up Ashbrook is 6-foot-5 sophomore Mike Kazee, a standout on last season's junior varsity squad.
David Rudy (6-4, 160 pounds) likely will start at center for Thompson's team. Rudy saw limited time last season, averaging one point per outing.
Christiansburg's backcourt will be handled by the duo of Jesse McHose and Brian Porter. McHose, a senior point man, will be asked to provide the Blue Demons with quality ball-handling. Porter, a 40 percent 3-point shooter last season, is Christiansburg's long-range threat.
``Our team speed is going to be our strength this season,'' Thompson said. ``We don't have a monster inside and we don't play great defense. What we do is play everything good enough to win. If we keep doing that we'll have a shot at winning the district.''
Blacksburg looms as the team with the best chance to push Christiansburg for the title. With all-district center Phillip Klaus (13 ppg, 7 rpg) once again playing the pivot for the Indians, coach Bob Trear's team has a strong foundation on which to build.
``Klaus is a really good player inside,'' Trear said. ``We're not as big overall this year as we have been in the past, so we need Klaus to have a good season.''
Blacksburg's district title hopes took a big blow when 6-4 forward Andrew Dorsey decided not to return to the team. Dorsey instead will concentrate on a promising swimming career.
``It hurts not having Dorsey back, but you've got to support a kid for making the decision he did,'' Trear said. ``He's a great swimmer, and when you're as good as he is, you need to spend a lot of time on it.''
John Hutchins joins Klaus as a returning starter. Hutchins, a 6-1 senior guard, averaged seven points per game last season for the Indians.
``We've only got two returning starters from last year's team, so our players that are up from the JV team are going to have to step up and handle the pressure,'' Trear said.
Newcomers Krishna Pacifica (Jr., 6-1, 160) and Matt Stockburger (Jr., 6-4, 180) will provide Blacksburg with some much-needed size inside.
``We're quicker than we have been in the past, and that should definitely help us out,'' Trear said. ``If our team can mesh together, we can do all right this season.''
Carroll County will be looking to improve on last season's 4-18 record. It might prove a daunting task since the Cavaliers' two returning starters combined for only five points and five rebounds per game last season.
``Right now, we're not even thinking that much about winning the last NRVD title,'' coach Pat Sharp said. ``We just want to concentrate on becoming a better team, so that when the district schedule starts in January we'll be ready to compete.''
Senior guard Justin Iroler and junior center Jeremy Ogle return as starters for a young team. Sharp says Ogle has a chance to be an all-district selection if he continues to mature as a player.
``Jeremy has a good inside game and he has a good jump shot away from the basket,'' Sharp said. ``He could be a really tough player this year.''
Given the Cavaliers' lack of experience, Sharp said he has to keep reminding his team to concentrate on January.
``The district games are all that matter to us,'' Sharp said. ``The good thing about the NRVD is you have 10 games to get ready for the district season. That's what this team has to realize.''
Here is capsule look at the New River District teams:
BLACKSBURG
'94-95 record: 13-12 overall, 2-2 district.
Coach: Bob Trear, 20th year.
Returning starters: John Hutchins, 6-1, Sr., G, 6.0 points per game; Phillip Klaus , 6-5, Jr., C, 13.0 ppg, 7.0 rebounds per game.
Other key players: Krishna Pacifica, 6-0, Jr., F; Randy Cross, 6-0, Soph., F; Matt Stockburger, 6-4, Jr., F; Mike Davis, 6-1, Jr., F.
Outlook: Blacksburg welcomes back one of the district's top big men in Klaus, but the departure of Andrew Dorsey to swimming will hurt the Indians' inside game. Quickness will be a key to success for Trear's team this season as it continues to feature man-to-man defensive pressure. The Indians' team speed should provide them with a chance to compete with Christiansburg for the title.
CARROLL COUNTY
'94-95 record: 4-18, 0-4.
Coach: Pat Sharp, sixth year.
Returning starters: Jeremy Ogle, 6-5, Jr., C, 2.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg; Justin Iroler, 5-8, Sr., G, 2.5 ppg.
Other key players: Jody Edwards, 5-10, Soph., G; Travis Harvey, 6-3, Jr., F-C; Ryan Morris, 6-1, Sr., F, 2.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg; Brad Richardson, 5-8, Sr., G.
Outlook: The Cavaliers are inexperienced and have only 7.3 points per game returning. Sharp's squad will show improvement from last season's 4-18 mark, but only modest gains. The key for Carroll County will be the development of the players up from last season's JV team, Sharp said.
CHRISTIANSBURG
'94-95 record: 20-6, 4-0 district.
Coach: Gerald Thompson, 12th year.
Returning starter: Darrell Calloway, 6-0, Sr., F, 12.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg.
Key players: Carlton Ashbrook, 6-0, Sr., F, 7.9 ppg; Jesse McHose, 5-9, Sr., G, 3.0 ppg; Brian Porter, 6-4, Sr., G, 5.0 ppg; Mike Kazee, 6-5, Soph., center; David Rudy, 6-4, Sr., F.
Outlook: Christiansburg is the defending New River Disrtict champion and the favorite to repeat. Thompson's team is loaded with seniors, although it only has one returning starter, all-district forward Darrell Calloway. Porter provides the Blue Demons with a long-range threat, and Ashbrook saw considerable time off the bench last season.
by CNB