ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, October 10, 1996 TAG: 9610100012
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-16 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
Imagine William Byrd's Brandy Allen, Lord Botetourt's Sarah Hicks and Northside's Crystal Barrett on the same girls' basketball team.
A squad featuring those three, with decent guard play, would be a mortal lock to win a state championship at any level.
Guess what? Those three were on the same team before they reached the high school level.
Allen, now a 6-foot junior at William Byrd, was the guard on a recreation team that included Hicks and Barrett.
``Until I was in seventh grade, I was only 5-3. The doctor told me I'd be 6-foot. I was still bigger than anyone else in seventh grade, but I couldn't imagine myself being that tall [6 feet],'' said Allen.
By the time she reached eighth grade and the junior varsity team, Allen began a growth spurt and was moved to a power forward position by JV coach Robin Hungate. As a freshman, Allen had grown 9 inches and was moved to center for the Terriers. By the middle of the season, she was a varsity starter.
``I just hope it [growing that fast] doesn't happen again. I still can't find clothes to fit me. I can imagine what it's like for [6-2] Stephanie [Parnell, who also plays an inside position for Byrd].''
Byrd coach Richard Thrasher first saw Allen in rec ball. ``She was a guard and she'd love to play guard for us. She always asks me to play guard and shoot the 3-pointer. I told her she has to work on her shooting. But she still handles the ball well.''
Thrasher knew that Allen wouldn't be a guard by the time she got to high school. ``I knew she'd be a good player and that she was tall for her age,'' said the Byrd coach. ``Her game is inside, but she's improving on shooting away from the basket.''
As for the trio of Allen, Hicks and Barrett, they are currently among the top five scorers in the Blue Ridge District. Hicks leads Timesland with a 22.6 average going into this week.
Allen is averaging 15.5 points a game, while Barrett is at 14 points. The trio is also among Timesland leaders in rebounding.
At one time or another, says Allen, the three have been best friends. Attending different schools and playing on rival teams has permitted them to drift away from each other to some degree.
``Sarah and I did everything alike,'' said Allen, recalling their pre-high school days. ``We dressed alike and we were best friends.''
Last year may have put a strain on their friendship. Botetourt beat Byrd in the Group AA state championship game and the two teams played each other five times, including in the Region III and Blue Ridge District title contests. Byrd won three of the five, but didn't get the big prize.
``I don't think it's the rivalry. There's just not enough time for everything,'' said Allen of her friendship with Hicks. ``We used to spend the night together. We don't talk as often, but I don't hold [their state championship] against her. On the court, you're opponents. It's the same with Crystal.''
Allen still runs around with Barrett, however. Both are juniors and a year younger than Hicks.
``Crystal and I are there for each other when we're down,'' said Allen, who had to be hurting last week when Northside beat Byrd for the second time this year. ``She's killed us both times we've played them.''
Allen's immediate goal is to play college basketball. Her long-range desires come from when she was a kid.
``I've wanted to be be the first girls' player in the NBA,'' said Allen. ``That's because it was the only professional league at the time. Little kids have dreams, don't they? I always wanted to play with Michael Jordan. I watch every NBA game I can.''
Allen admits she'll try some of the moves she sees on television. ``They don't always work. I'll have to practice harder. If working hard [is the answer], it will happen for me.''
Still, Allen says the Byrd program has helped her tremendously. She recalls working against Kristi Dyer, a 6-footer, and All-Timesland forward Cathy Smith, who graduated last year.
``They made me a lot tougher. I improved from working against them,'' said Allen.
The Byrd forward is aware of some of the tradition in a program that has been a perennial Group AA power since the 1970s. Yet she doesn't recall Jenny Mitchell, a 6-2 forward who was arguably the school's best player and went on to an All-Atlantic Coast Conference career at Wake Forest.
``I didn't start going to school in Roanoke County until fourth grade [after Mitchell had graduated from Byrd],'' said Allen. ``But Coach Thrasher tells us everything that went on,'' said Allen.
She also didn't realize Byrd won a Group AA state championship in 1980. ``That was before I was born,'' said Allen, her eyes wide with amazement.
Now her goal is to help the Terriers win another state title before she leaves. It's very possible considering that Allen, along with Sarah Moore, Ashley Carle and Brennan Sigel, is one of four juniors on a team that has no seniors.
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: DON PETERSEN/Staff. Brandy Allen reaches past a Lordby CNBBotetourt defender. Allen, who has friends on competing teams,
manages to keep the rivalry on court only. color.