Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, November 30, 1995                   TAG: 9511300021
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: E-11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

VALLEY CHRISTIAN'S YOUNG EAGLES ARE READY TO SOAR

Playing in the Blue Ridge Conference, without a state championship to play for, the Eagles often are overlooked when it comes time to talk about success stories.

Yet, after 10 years, Roanoke Valley Christian has won just about every way imaginable under Dixon. Last season, the Eagles were 14-8 with three eighth-graders in the starting lineup.

Before Gina Guthrie, Rebecca Bryant and Rebecca Lockhart finish their careers, people around Timesland are going to be asking how long these girls have been playing high school basketball.

Public schools can't use eighth-graders on the varsity level, but that rule doesn't apply to private schools. These weren't token eighth-graders, either, because Dixon had no one else to play. Guthrie and Bryant were the top scorers and rebounders for the Eagles last season.

``Most of our eighth-graders have been to camp and open gym,'' Dixon said. ``They've improved quite a bit. We're still young, but this is definitely the best group we've had together.''

Last season, conference champion Lynchburg Christian buried the Eagles twice during the regular season. In the tournament, Lynchburg Christian won 53-48. By that time, RVC's eighth-graders were playing more like freshmen or sophomores.

``Gina's [scoring] average will go up,'' Dixon said of his 5-foot-6 guard.

``Rebecca should grow; both her parents are over 6 feet,'' he said of Bryant, a 5-9 center who led the team in rebounding.

With more freshmen moving up from the junior varsity and four returning starters, Dixon says his team will be good. LCA still is the team to beat, and Grace Christian moves into the league with 6-2 Krista Summers, but the Eagles should be up to the challenge.

Roanoke Catholic lost to Lynchburg Christian in the conference championship game, but the Celtics will struggle to approach last season's record with the loss of 6-0 Abby Dickson and Elaine Ronquillo, two of their top scorers.

Coach Robin Hungate has three starters back, but height is a problem with a roster that features six sophomores and a freshman.

North Cross has three starters back from a team that struggled, but that doesn't include the top two scorers for coach Gaylyn Moore. There also is a height problem, but the good news is this squad, dominated by sophomores and freshmen, might have a bright future.

Here is a capsule look at Timesland's private schools girls' teams:

NORTH CROSS

'94-95 record: 3-15.

Coach: Gaylyn Moore, third year.

Returning starters: Ann Ballenger, 5-7, Soph., G, 2.2 rebounds per game; Katherine Kelly, 5-5, Soph., G, 3.0 points per game, 2.4 rpg; Emily Kennedy, 5-6, Sr., G, 2.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg.

Other key players: Essra Dillaha, 5-10, Jr., F-C; Whitney Watson, 5-9, Soph., F-C, 3.5 rpg; Mary Angela Mull, 5-4, Fr., G; Sara Boxley Parrott, 5-9, Soph., F; Sally Flippin, 5-6, Fr., G; Maggie Bivens, 5-8, Soph., F; Beth Hubard, 5-6, Soph., F; Tia Morrison, 5-3, Fr., G; Elizabeth Melchonna, 5-6, Soph., F.

Outlook: The Raiders are rebuilding once again and don't have a lot of height. There is only one senior on the roster, but three returning starters provide experience.

ROANOKE CATHOLIC

'94-95 record: 15-7.

Coach: Robin Hungate, fourth year.

Returning starters: Teresa Monsour, 5-11/2, Sr., G, 8.4 ppg; Christy Hinman, 5-6, Jr., G-F, 5.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg; Whitney Campbell, 5-4, Fr.., G-F.

Other key players: Anna Berding, 5-5, Jr., F; Rebecca Wierzbic, Jr., F; Alisha Hubbell, 5-6, Soph., F-C; Allison Dickson, Soph., F-C.

Outlook: Roanoke Catholic must rebuild its inside game after the loss of 6-0 Abby Dickson, one of Timesland's top rebounders.

ROANOKE VALLEY|

CHRISTIAN|

'94-95 record: 14-8.

Coach: Bobby Dixon, 10th year.

Returning starters: Gina Guthrie, 5-6, Fr., G, 15.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg; Rebecca Bryant, 5-9, Fr., C, 8.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg; Rebecca Lockhart, 5-6, Fr., G, 4.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg; Ashley Rakes, 5-7, Sr., F, 2.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg.

Other key players: Nia Douglas, 5-9, Soph., C, 4.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg; Amy Rumbley, 5-6, Soph., forward, 4.0 ppg; Lauren McKee, 5-6, Fr., G; Meagan Weaver, 5-5, Fr., F.

Outlook: This might well be Timesland's youngest basketball team, considering three freshmen are returning starters. It also might be one of Timesland's most successful, with coach Bobby Dixon's squad looking primed for a run at the Blue Ridge Conference title.