ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, August 25, 1996 TAG: 9608270019
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
How long has it been since the Piedmont District sent a girls' basketball team to the Group AA tournament?
The drought is likely to end at four years now that the league has moved from Region III to Region IV.
``It will be tougher to get out of the district because the league is smaller and has better teams,'' said Lisa Black, the Bassett coach. ``I think once we get out of the district, we'll have a better chance because we won't have to face the Botetourts, Byrds and Salems.
``There are some good teams in Region IV, such as Marion, Grundy and Richlands. What history has told us is there haven't been as many strong, dominating teams'' as in Region III.
The Piedmont District may have the most entertaining girls' basketball race in Timesland. Coaches won't get a break in league games now that Pittsylvania County schools, which didn't have strong programs, are gone.
``Travel-wise, being in Region IV puts us in somewhat of a dilemma because there's a lot more expense,'' said E.G. Bradshaw, Magna Vista's coach. ``In Region III, we were at a disadvantage because there were some 30 odd schools [to 12 in Region IV]. It had to balance out.
``I don't see Region IV being tougher. Definitely, the Blue Ridge District [in Region III] has been winning state titles. It's a tough district.''
A look at Timesland district girls' basketball races:
PIEDMONT DISTRICT: The best bet to end the Piedmont's absence from the state tournament is defending champion Martinsville. The Bulldogs have four returning starters, including 5-foot-7 guard Erica Brandon (15.9 points per game), who was Timesland's Sizzlin' Sophomore of the Year in 1994, and 5-11 forward Jamie Farrington (10.7 ppg). Brandon is recovering from a recent auto wreck.
Patrick County welcomes back three starters, but no double-figure scorer. There is height in 5-10 Summer East (7.4 ppg), and 5-5 Anitra Huff (9.1 ppg) is the leading returning scorer from a balanced team where the bench gets into the act quite often.
Magna Vista has 6-2 Sandi Reid (11.7 ppg) to complement point guard Moranda Wade. Both were sophomore starters a year ago.
Bassett will be led by 5-9 Heather Miller (19.9 ppg, 6.7 rebounds per game), who was dominant last year as a freshman. She is one of four starters back.
Laurel Park welcomes back four starters, but like Patrick County the Lancers have no double-figure scorer. Brandy Martin (9.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg), 5-7 Isis Paddyfote (8.0 ppg) and 5-5 Tiffany Lynch (7.8 ppg) could make double figures this year.
Fieldale-Collinsville won the Piedmont District tournament and has three starters back, led by 5-7 guard Jennifer Witt.
SEMINOLE DISTRICT: Of the two Timesland schools in this league, Liberty has the best chance for success, thanks to the return of 5-11 senior Sue Cowlbeck (12.5 ppg., 12.6 rpg.). The only other returning starter is 5-8 Catherine Sanders (6.4 rpg.).
Staunton River features three returning starters, led by 5-7 forward Crystal English. The Golden Eagles hope 5-7 Erin Wolfe continues her fine play at point guard, a position she took over to spark a 9-1 surge last year. Penny Forrest, a 5-10 senior, is the other returning starter.
SOUTHWEST DISTRICT: The only Timesland team, Carroll County, is led by 5-91/2 Angie Farmer (8.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg), who was an All-New River District selection last season.
MOUNTAIN EMPIRE DISTRICT: Narrows and Fort Chiswell appear capable of unseating defending champion Galax. The Green Wave has one of the best returning scoring duos in Timesland in 5-11 Suzanne Webb (17.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg) and Melissa Lucas (13.0 ppg).
Fort Chiswell counters with five returning starters, led by 5-4 Amber Gunter (14.0 ppg), 5-4 Kristen Harmon (10.0 ppg, 4.2 assists per game), 5-8 Amy Coleman (10.0 ppg) and 6-0 Toshia Smith (9.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg).
Galax has three starters back: 5-10 Erin Kyle (10.0 ppg, 8.1 rpg) and guards Mindy McGrady (5.6 ppg) and Tiffany Williams (6.5 ppg).
Grayson County also returns three starters, led by 5-10 Lindsey Carico (13.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg). Rocky Gap will count on 5-9 Amanda Clark (12.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg). Bland has no double-figure scorers returning.
PIONEER DISTRICT: With Glenvar in the Three Rivers District, this is a race for the first time in years. Covington is the favorite with the return of the Pioneer District Player of the Year, Joann Helton (19.4 ppg), and the addition of 5-9 forward Melissa Page, who transferred from Alleghany.
Parry McCluer, under the direction of new coach Mark Melton, should be Covington's main opposition. Four returning starters include 5-11 point guard Lindsey Coleman (13.2 ppg) and 5-7 center Clarissa Johnson (11.8 ppg).
James River welcomes back four starters, led by Julie Firebaugh (9.7 ppg) and Amy Sprinkle (8.4 ppg). Bath County has the league's tallest player in 6-1 Katie Hardbarger (10.0 ppg, 9.5 rpg) and scoring from Samantha Burger (8.0 ppg) and Suzanna Shanks (9.0 ppg). Craig County will try to build around its only returning starter, 5-10 Rebeka Peters (7.0 ppg).
HOGOHEEGEE DISTRICT: Two Timesland schools, George Wythe and Rural Retreat, should be in the title fight. The Indians have all five starters back, including point guard Kristie Osborne (15.0 ppg) and 6-0 center Jane Grubb (8.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg). Wythe has four starters back, led by 5-11 Tabitha Cook (12.7 ppg) and 5-10 Megan Johnson (14.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg).
LENGTH: Medium: 95 linesby CNB