ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, December 3, 1995 TAG: 9512040088
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
So how will Lord Botetourt follow its success of 1995 next fall?
The Cavaliers disposed of William Byrd 43-39 Saturday to capture the Group AA girls' state basketball title using three juniors, two sophomores and one senior.
Culpeper, a vanquished semifinal foe that started four sophomores, might have had something to say about Botetourt's chances of repeating. Under the new Virginia High School League reclassification plan, though, that Central Virginia school steps up to Group AAA next year.
Next season, Lord Botetourt will be the hunted instead of the team pursuing a state crown.
``I know we will, but let me savor this moment,'' said Cavaliers coach David Wheat. ``Two years ago, everyone expected us to go all the way. That team carried a big burden [and didn't win]. We'll have to carry it next year.''
Wheat's one loss, senior Marisa Michalski, has confidence in her teammates:
``I think they'll have the same determination we did,'' said Michalski. ``I hate to leave this team, but as the only senior, I did feel a little strange at times.''
``This is going to make it a lot harder next year,'' predicted Sarah Hicks, who led Botetourt's winning effort with 23 points. ``Everyone thinks we'll win again, but I'm not so sure. We'll have to work hard or we won't.''
``There will be a little bit of pressure,'' said guard Sara Moore, who is used to pressure. ``We lose a really good senior, so we'll have to find a way to fill in for her.''
``We have to stick together, but I don't think it [winning a state title] will bother us,'' said Katrina Elliott.
Aimee Byrd has no fears. ``We'll basically be the same team, so I don't think it will be tougher.''
Richard Thrasher, who never has missed sending a team to the Region III tournament since he started coaching at William Byrd in 1984, loses four senior starters.
``We won't have four starters coming back as Botetourt did this year,'' said Thrasher. ``But we'll be a good team with young kids who will play hard. We just won't have a single senior on the team.''
One of those returnees is Erin Caldwell, who logged a lot of playing time in the championship game and scored six points.
``I think we'll be ready,'' said Caldwell, one of three freshmen returnees. ``I think we'll be back in the state.''
Thrasher also declared the Blue Ridge District, which had both finalists, as the strongest Group AA league in the state.
``I think we could play Lord Botetourt 10 times and we'd split. We were both capable of winning the state as was Salem [the third Blue Ridge team that won three times against the two finalists].''
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