ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, November 28, 1996 TAG: 9611290081
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-4 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
Coach Buddy Farris says his Pulaski County girls' basketball team is better than last season's squad, which is scary considering the Cougars were one upset short of the Group AAA semifinal round.
Pulaski County has four starters returning, including All-Timesland guard Katrina Williams, and the Cougars will be taller - their veteran players have grown, and 6-foot-2 Lindsey Reed moves up from the junior varsity.
While saying his team is better, Farris quickly added, ``But I think the Roanoke Valley District will be tougher. We have a long ways to go. We really need to work harder on our defense, which isn't that good.''
Williams (17 points per game) was Farris' only double-figure scorer last season, partly because of her ability and partly because of the way Farris coaches.
``We're trying to get more balance'' in scoring, Farris said. ``If you see the averages, Katrina's our shooter. We have to go to her a lot. If I played her the whole game, she'd be averaging 30 points. But that's not my style.''
So the Cougars' second-year coach will continue rotating players, using a lot of combinations and developing depth.
``I think we'll see a lot more from Robyn Bower, Mandy Sexton and Lisa Skeens,'' Farris said, referring to Pulaski County's other returning starters. ``Last year, I challenged the girls. I told them I was a new coach, that we didn't have any seniors and no one expected us to do anything. I wanted us to prove them wrong.''
The Cougars did, but, Farris said, ``I think we're a better team than last year, but it doesn't mean we'll do as well. It depends how we jell together.''
For the first time in years, William Fleming is projected as the chief challenger for the top spot in the district. Former assistant Cynthia Brown watched and learned from Roland Lovelace last season. She's on her own after Lovelace took over as the boys' coach at Fleming.
``He left me with material,'' said Brown, who once played for the Colonels. ``We have more height and more ability to get our hands up on shots, so I expect more blocking.
``There's no pressure on me. There's more pressure from the girls just wanting to do well. We've come a long way and my seniors will do whatever is necessary to get people motivated.''
The Colonels have two of Timesland's brightest young stars in Renita Walker and Shaunarey Walker, who starred as freshmen.
Despite being projected to finish third, Cave Spring will be tough.
Three Knights have signed letters of intent with NCAA Division I programs, but Cave Spring has no returning scorer of note. Leading the way is 6-4 Lisa Bryan, who averaged six points per game. Bryan signed with Nebraska, and twins Catie and Alyssa Redick are going to Campbell.
``I feel really good about this team,'' said coach Linda Long. `` We'll be quicker.''
The Knights might not be as big as last season unless 6-3 Lindsay Cannon makes the move from the junior varsity and joins Bryan as a prime-time performer.
Franklin County has height and might be ready to move up under fourth-year coach Deborah Crockett.
``We've been through the worst, and that's the good thing,'' she said. ``Anything bad that you go through that doesn't kill you, you can only get better.''
The Eagles get help from Tasha Williams, who played two seasons ago as a freshman and is back. They also welcome five starters.
``We're looking to be more competitive,'' Crockett said. ``This is a tough league and anyone who thinks they can walk into this league and change things overnight, it won't happen.''
Patrick Henry still seems to be light years away from contention. Gone is the Patriots' best player, Carrie Moore, and there is no height and little experience for second-year coach John Griffith. ``Our kids have more spirit,'' Griffith said.
Here is a closer look at the teams:
CAVE SPRING
1995-96 record: 14-9 overall, 10-2 in the Roanoke Valley District.
Coach: Linda Long, fifth season.
Returning starters: Lisa Bryan, 6-4, Sr., C, 6.0 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game; Stacie Morioka, 5-5, Sr., G, 3 assists per game.
Other key players: Kristin Smith, 5-5, Sr., G, 5.0 ppg; Amy Causey, 5-10, Jr., F, 6.0 ppg; Alyssa Redick, 6-2, Sr., C; Catie Redick, 6-1, Sr., F; Amber Neil, 5-9, Jr., G; Lindsay Cannon, 6-3, Jr., C; Mandy Warsaw, 5-5, Jr., G.
Outlook: The Knights will be tough, but there are a lot of question marks. Still, this team has enough talent to win the district, and Long usually gets the most out of her team.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
1995-96 record: 4-17, 2-10.
Coach: Deborah Crockett, fourth season.
Returning starters: Kelli Preston, 5-10, Soph., F, 12.0 ppg; Brandi Manns, 5-8, Sr., C, 6.0; Lashon Brooks, 5-6, Sr., F, 7.0 ppg; Jessica Angle, 5-6, Jr., G, 4.0 ppg; Megan Conklin, 5-5, Soph., G, 4.0 ppg, 3.0 apg.
Other key players: Tofic Muse, 5-6, Jr., F; Heather Matthews, 5-6, Jr., F; Tasha Williams, 5-10, Jr., G; Samantha Woods, 5-6, Fr., G.
Outlook: Franklin County will be improved, but the Eagles still might not be in position to battle for the title. Franklin County could be pesky and should avoid any upsets like last season's loss to Patrick Henry.
PATRICK HENRY
1995-96 record: 1-18, 1-11.
Coach: John Griffith, second season.
Returning starters: Troyleena Pate, 5-4, Sr., F, 3.0 ppg, 9.5 rpg; Keeda Hale, 5-4, Soph., G, 6.2 ppg.
Other key players: Tasha Buchanan, 5-6, Jr., G; Tanisha Durham, 5-10, Soph., C; Charmaine Bones, 5-5, Sr., F; Sara Wonson, 5-5, Soph., G; Ruth ``Rudy'' Alasankus, 5-5, Soph., G; Kiki Alexander, 5-3, Jr., G.
Outlook: It's still going to be rough for PH as the Patriots struggle with a lack of height and experience. Victories will be as tough to come by as they have been the past four seasons.
PULASKI COUNTY
1995-96 record:19-8, 10-2 (district tournament champions, Group AAA quarter-finalists).
Coach: Buddy Farris, second season.
Returning starters: Lisa Skeens, 5-7, Sr., G, 8.5 ppg; Katrina Williams, 5-8, Soph., G, 17.0 ppg; Robyn Bower, 5-9, Sr., F, 7.8 ppg; Mandy Sexton, 5-9, Sr., F, 5.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg.
Other key players:Sarah Donold, 6-1, Jr., C, 5.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg; Jessica Cobbs, 5-9, Jr., F, 4.8 ppg; Lea Hallstead, 5-8, Jr., F; Missy Shirah, 5-7, Jr., G, 4.9 ppg; Sharmon Underwood, 5-5, Sr., G, 3.2 ppg; Lindsey Reed, 6-2, Fr., C; Melissa Blevins, 5-5, Soph., G; Amber Hanks, 6-0, Soph., C.
Outlook: This is the team to beat, with an experienced lineup that features Williams. She was All-Timesland and second-team All-Group AAA as a freshman. The Cougars have height and should be a legitimate state contender.
WILLIAM FLEMING
1995-96 record: 12-8, 7-5.
Coach: Cynthia Brown, first season.
Returning starters: Revonda Barber, 5-5, Sr., G, 7.7 ppg, 6.3 apg; Kiann Trent, 5-7, Jr., F, 8.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg; Shaunarey Walker, 5-5, Soph., G, 13.6 ppg, 5.3 apg; Renita Walker, 5-8, Soph., G, 9.8 ppg.
Other key players: Elizabeth Lawrence, 5-10, Sr., F-C; Margaret Page, 5-8, Jr., F; Tonia Brown, 5-9, Fr., C; Alycia Garrison, 5-5, Fr., G; Jennifer Nunley, 6-2, Jr., C.
Outlook: Fleming has experience, scoring and height, so the Colonels might be the chief obstacle for Pulaski County. The Walkers are extremely talented. This still is a very young team, with only two seniors among the returning regulars.
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH: 1, Pulaski County; 2, William Fleming; 3, Cave Spring; 4, Franklin County; 5, Patrick Henry.
LENGTH: Long : 137 linesby CNB