ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, November 28, 1996 TAG: 9611290082
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-12 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
Craig County has won a total of 10 games in the past three boys' basketball seasons and hasn't finished with a winning record since 1990.
The prospects for the Rockets returning to those winning ways of years ago are iffy at best. However, they should fare better than they have the past three seasons and have a chance to be competitive in the Pioneer District.
Coach Eddie Crabtree welcomes back only one starter, but he has some height. More importantly, one of the district's strongest programs, Glenvar, has moved to the Three Rivers District.
The Pioneer District is one of the toughest Group A leagues in the state, which is part of the reason for Craig County's problems.
``We don't have a lot of proven depth, but we've got Mike Fisher and Ben Elmore out who didn't play last year,'' Crabtree said. Fisher, who averaged 14.7 points per game as a sophomore, ``can drive on anybody and be one of our best players offensively,'' the coach said.
The 6-foot-6 Ben Elmore and a couple of 6-3 players, including the only returning starter, Dwayne Crawford, provide height for the Rockets.
``Having an inside presence is what we've needed for so long,'' Crabtree said. ``I've always tried to talk Ben into playing. Mike just got lazy after football and didn't want to play basketball or baseball. Now he seems to be dedicated.''
Crabtree feels Craig County will be more than just those two players. ``If we can get the players to work together,'' he said, ``we can be really successful.''
There's only one returning starter at James River, but unlike Craig County, the Knights aren't welcoming back a double-figure scorer from two seasons ago.
``We have a lot of quickness, and in time I think we can be fairly decent,'' said Randolph Howard, James River's coach. ``We just have to get experience, but I guess it should be a rebuilding year.''
Despite that last statement, Howard hopes his team betters its two victories in district play of a season ago. The Knights are capable, thanks to a number of players from a winning football team.
Quincy Springs is the only returning starter, but running back Brian LeFlore and quarterback Travis Blankenship saw a lot of playing time last season. Joey Ingram moves up from the junior varsity with a reputation for shooting the ball well.
With Glenvar gone, there is balance in the league. Covington has one of its tallest teams, though the height is untested as 6-71/2 Joe Hubble and 6-61/2 Shawn Simmons come up from the junior varsity. Point guard Erwin Twitty, who averaged 8.5 points per game a season ago, is the top returning player.
Bath County has no height and few returning scorers, but it had an outstanding junior varsity team last season. Highland, another perennial loser, could step up behind returning guard Brian Werner, who averaged 14.1 points a game. Parry McCluer has 5-8 guard Chip Coleman (10.6 ppg) leading the way.
Here is a closer look at the teams:
CRAIG COUNTY
1995-96 record: 2-15 overall, 0-12 in the Pioneer District.
Coach: Eric Crabtree, third season.
Returning starters: Dwayne Crawford, 6-3, Sr., F-G, 12.0 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game.
Other key players: Bruce Duncan, 6-0, Sr., F; Stephen Oliver, 5-6, Sr., G; Ben Elmore, 6-6, Sr., C; Mike Fisher, 6-3, Sr., F, 14.7 ppg in 1994-95; Jarvis Pauley, 5-11, Jr., G; Whitney Huffman, 5-11, Jr., F; Brent Bradley, 5-10, Soph., G.
Outlook: The Rockets have some height, something they have lacked in recent seasons. Though there isn't much returning scoring and experience is limited, Craig County should be more competitive.
JAMES RIVER
1995-96 record: 11-11, 2-10.
Coach: Randolph Howard, fifth season.
Returning starters: Quincy Springs, 5-11, Jr., G-F, 7.3 ppg.
Other key players: Brian LeFlore, 5-8, Sr., G, 4.2 ppg; Travis Blankenship, 6-1, Sr., F; Will Goad, 6-4, Jr., F; Jeremy Sink, 6-4, Soph., C; Phillip Meador, 6-31/2, Sr., C; Derrick Lithicum, 5-8, Sr., G; Joey Ingram, 5-8, Soph., G.
Outlook: James River will be rebuilding with very little experience. The Knights do have some athletic talent, and by the end of the season they might be a tough opponent for the district's top teams.
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH: 1, Covington; 2, Bath County; 3, Parry McCluer; 4, James River; 5, Craig County; 6, Highland.
LENGTH: Medium: 85 linesby CNB