ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, August 25, 1996 TAG: 9608270017
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-10 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: THREE RIVERS DISTRICT
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
The Glenvar girls' basketball team enters the season with a portfolio of accomplishments that includes 12 regular-season district championships and nine district tournament titles in 12 years.
The Highlanders also have much to prove.
All those championships and that substantial pile of hacked-down nets doesn't amount to much more than a historical curiosity and warm memories. Glenvar is starting over in the reputation-building department.
That's what happens when you change district affiliations from the relatively weak Pioneer to the bone-breaking Three Rivers, home of the Floyd County Buffaloes - owners of two Group A championships in the past three years - and a group of hungry and talented wannabes.
In other words, the Highlanders' formidable Pioneer reputation doesn't amount to a pile of warmed over press clippings.
And maybe that isn't so bad.
``You want to come out early and establish yourself as a contender,'' said Dennis Layman, Glenvar's coach. ``You want to prove that on a good night, you're capable of going out there and stealing the show.''
The Highlanders should prove more than capable, with all five starters back from an 18-7 Region C semifinalist. Among them is junior Erika Hale, the team leader with 18.5 points and 10 rebounds per game a year ago.
Joining her will be swing player Mandy Kennedy, who averaged eight points per game while playing mostly point guard; shooting guard Amy Layman, who had a similar scoring average; defensive specialist Jamie Dowdy; forward Amanda Bishop; and 5-11 center Amanda Rydell. All five are seniors.
All of them should have fresh memories of Floyd County, which has ousted the Highlanders from the regional tournament the past three seasons.
The Buffaloes were stopped in a state semifinal in 1995. Four starters are back, bringing with them more state tournament experience than any quartet around.
Wing Sara Conner and swing player Julie Sowers have the most firepower of the aforementioned group, each having averaged 12 points per game a year ago. The two also provided a combined average of 13 rebounds per game.
Right behind them in scoring was junior Jill Quesenberry (8 points per game, 5 rebounds per game). Amy Vest was the sparkplug off the bench.
``We've got a good nucleus of players who have been to the state and been through the mill,'' said Alan Cantrell, the Buffaloes' coach. ``We'll do what we usually do: Get a lot out of our defense, keep a lot of fresh players coming and go as hard and as long as we can go.''
Others will have designs on the district title, primarily Radford and Shawsville.
The Bobcats have one of the top players in the state in fourth-year starter Charlee Taylor (18.5 ppg) along with a solid inside game featuring 6-foot Jenny Benjamin (3.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg), 5-10 Kim Kimbleton (6 ppg, 7 rpg) and Amanda Day (4 ppg, 8 rpg).
The key will be to keep other teams from shutting down Taylor.
``We've always been very team-oriented,'' said Brenda King, Radford's coach. ``We want to establish that again this year. We'd like to think that even if you do stop Charlee Taylor, you won't stop Radford.''
Taylor will be vital even if she doesn't score a point because she'll also be the team quarterback.
``When you have a good point guard and a strong post, as we do, then you can usually do all right in high school,'' King said. ``We need to be able to control tempo.''
Shawsville can be a contender, with four starters back off an 11-9 team.
The leading scorers are junior center Sarah Hagood (18 ppg, 10 rpg) and sophomore forward Megan Forester (14 ppg, 9 rpg). More firepower will be coming from junior guard Beth Burdette and senior forward Mandi Forester.
``We'll be pretty decent,'' said coach Tracy Poff, doing his best to soft-pedal Shawsville's chances. ``Our one problem is depth. We only have two post players to go with eight guards.''
Auburn hopes to improve on a .500 record by pushing the tempo and trying to create scoring opportunities with defense.
The most accomplished offensive force returning to the Eagles' lineup is Deanna Dickerson, a 5-10 center who averaged six points and four rebounds a year ago. Point guard Anna Smith and guard Heather Gilbert are other returning regulars.
``We're short and we're going to have to win with defense and playing aggressively for the full length of the court,'' said Tim Goetz, Auburn's coach.
Giles did not win a district game last year. Still, coach John Howlett has hope with 6-2 junior Kristen White (8 ppg, 7 rpg) and a supporting cast that includes swing player Lori Talbert, point guard Whitney Matlock, forward Jody Mullins and guard Dawn St.Clair.
Howlett knows what to expect from Glenvar and the returning Three Rivers teams.
``In my opinion, this is one heck of a girls' basketball district,'' he said. ``It's the best in the state.''
LENGTH: Medium: 91 linesby CNB