ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, May 12, 1996 TAG: 9605130172
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C9 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: HIGH SCHOOLS
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM
William Byrd can rightly say, ``Catch me if you can.''
While it still is too early to declare a winner in the Central Fidelity Cup race for all-around athletic excellence among Virginia high schools, the Terriers are as close to a lock as anyone in recent memory. But for an example of what can happen to locks, see Greg Norman.
Byrd had 147.50 points through winter and fall competition to lead second-place Grundy (110) and third-place Nansemond River and York (97.50) heading into the spring sports.
Nansemond River, it must be noted, came from behind to win the 1995 cup. But the Warriors may be too far behind this year. Grundy also doesn't figure to have enough strength to make a run at the Terriers.
Byrd created this margin with a runner-up finish in girls' basketball, third place in wrestling, a semifinal appearance in volleyball and the sportsmanship award - worth 25 points - for girls' basketball. Points in state competition range from five for an eighth-place finish to 50 for a state title.
What makes the Terriers' lead look so formidable is the strength of Byrd's spring teams. The Terriers have a chance to send four teams - baseball, softball, boys' tennis and boys' soccer - to state competition.
``I don't want the coaches to feel like there's a lot of pressure, but we've told them we'll fire anyone who doesn't get us to the state,'' said Jane Layman, Byrd's athletic director.
Layman was joking, but the Terriers never have led the Central Fidelity Cup standings after the completion of winter sports.
Layman said the regional pairings for spring sports favor Byrd. For instance, if the Terriers win the Blue Ridge District regular-season title in baseball or soccer, they need only one Region III victory to reach the state tournament.
In softball, Byrd was locked in a three-way battle with Alleghany and Lord Botetourt for the regular-season crown going into Friday's games. If the Terriers do make regional play in softball, they won't have a bye through the first round.
In tennis, the unbeaten Terriers are heavy favorites to make the Group AA tournament.
No other Timesland Group AA team has a shot at the Central Fidelity Cup, although Blacksburg and Northside are tied for seventh, 60 points behind Byrd.
In Group AAA, Patrick Henry is tied for 12th as the top Roanoke Valley District team in competition for the cup. Lake Braddock has a 40-point lead over two teams.
In Group A, Central of Woodstock leads Brentsville District by 10 points. Giles is 37.50 back in fifth place as Timesland's top school.
MAN OF STEAL: In three years of varsity baseball, Pulaski County's Shane Callahan never has been thrown out trying to steal a base. Going into a Friday game, the junior had stolen seven bases this year, 18 as a sophomore and 11 as a freshman.
At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, Callahan isn't built like a speedster. In his last seven games before Friday, the Cougars' leadoff hitter had nine hits in 20 trips to the plate, including two home runs, three doubles, a triple and seven RBI. In that span, Callahan had scored 11 runs.
COACHING CAROUSEL: Add William Campbell's Pat Paye to the list of candidates for the boys' basketball coaching job at Cave Spring, along with the one at Patrick Henry. He is expected to interview for both vacancies.
Also, former George Washington Carver boys' basketball coach Stan Clark is a candidate at Bassett, where he has been an assistant girls' coach. Under Clark, G.W. Carver, which merged with Drewry Mason to become Magna Vista, won two Group A titles.
Former Bassett coach Bobby Martin can have the job at McMichael, a private school in North Carolina. Carlisle's Brian Redd, the top player on the Chiefs' Division II Independent School championship team, and Laurel Park's Rashad Wall, a second-team All-Timesland choice, played at McMichael before transferring during their junior seasons.
LAST SHOW: This past week marked the 36th and final New River District track and field meet as the league disbands. The longest-running show in the meet was public address announcer Charlie Briscoe of Roanoke, who handled the mike for the past 24 years.
NO PASSING FANCY: Evidently, the Salem High Passing League for spring football is catching on as it heads into its second season.
Willis White, the Spartans' coach, has enough teams to schedule games at three venues: Salem, Brookville and Martinsville. There are at least six firm commitments for Salem, with as many as 10 teams for the league that starts Saturday and runs through June.
Any other teams interested in joining what is an informal way to improve passing and pass-defense skills are asked to call White at 387-4504.
BALLPARK FIGURES: The Blue Ridge District coaches are liking new Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium more and more. The district tournament semifinals and championship games will be held there May 20 after first-round contests are played at home fields Friday.
One semifinal will start in the Carolina League's newest park at 11 a.m., with the regular-season winner playing the survivor of a first-round game between the fourth- and fifth-place teams. The other semifinal, matching the second- and third-place finishers, will start at the same time at Municipal Field, the old pro park.
The Blue Ridge championship game is scheduled for 3 p.m. that same day at Salem Memorial. The semifinals and final are being played in one day before the usual start of district tournaments without a rain date because the new park will be tied up with the NCAA Division III World Series.
SOUTHBOUND: It's official, the Virginia High School League has moved the Group A and Group AA girls' basketball tournaments from Salem to Virginia High School in Bristol. That will make for a long trip for several teams.
BANQUET TALK: The banquet honoring All-Timesland athletes in football, basketball and wrestling, as well as players and coaches of the year in all other sports, will be held June 9 at the Holiday Inn-Tanglewood.
Washington Redskins assistant coach Terry Robiskie, who spent 12 seasons as an NFL running back, will be the featured speaker.
LENGTH: Long : 109 linesby CNB