ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, November 28, 1996 TAG: 9611290085
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-12 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
In the past three seasons, Liberty has gone 64-9, won the 1996 Group AA title and been a semifinalist in the 1995 Group AA tournament.
The talent might run out sometime, but not this season.
``Offensively, we have a chance to be really good,'' said Mark Hanks, the Minutemen's coach. ``A lot of these kids can do things with a basketball, not just shoot. They can kick and penetrate. We have kids who can score in the post that we didn't have last year.''
So when Hanks didn't apply for any of the various Group AAA jobs that opened in the off-season, was he expecting another state tournament run with the Minutemen?
``We really like the community here, working with some good kids,'' Hanks said when asked if he might pursue a Group AAA job. ``You can't say `never,' but right now we're taking things as they come. We're just focusing on this season.''
Liberty isn't as quick as last season, when guards J.J. Coles and Gregg Reynolds ran circles around opponents. But the Minutemen are bigger, with the addition of 6-foot-4 Rodney Morris from William Fleming and the natural maturation of 6-3 Raymond Arrington, who might be one of the state's best Group AA prospects.
``We'll have to rebound better because we won't make other teams turn the ball over like we have in the past,'' Hanks said. ``But just watching Raymond do some things, I can see the kids have really improved.''
One of the biggest improvements likely will come from guard Kelly Garrett, who takes over one of the frontcourt positions along with Robert Carson, who will be the playmaker.
``I think the pressure is great,'' Hanks said. ``I heard people in town last spring, all summer and all fall talking. It was like a given that we'd be back at the Vines Center [in Lynchburg for the state tournament] trying to win again. That's unreal. These are just high school kids and there's such a changeover.''
At Seminole District rival Staunton River, it's a rebuilding season.
``These kids are working hard every day, trying to get better,'' said Steve Farquhar, the Golden Eagles' first-year coach. ``Right now, we don't have a lot of height. We're trying to match the fundamentals.''
Last season, Staunton River was a one-man show as Hunter Hoggatt led the state with a 26.7-points-per-game average. Hoggatt has moved to Richmond for his senior year, so Farquhar said everyone must become involved in the offense.
``It won't be one man posting big numbers,'' Farquhar said. ``On any given night, anyone could lead us.''
Here is a closer look at the teams:
LIBERTY
1995-96 record: 25-0 overall, 17-0 in the Seminole District (district, Region III and Group AA champions).
Coach: Mark Hanks, eighth season.
Returning starters: Raymond Arrington, 6-3, Jr., F, 14.9 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game; Robert Carson, 6-0, Jr., G, 10.0 ppg, 4.8 assists per game.
Other key players: Cheyney Preston, 6-0, Sr., F, 7.6 ppg; Rick Wright, 6-2, Sr., F; Greg Mallory, 6-1, Sr., F; Kelly Garrett, 5-11, Jr., G; Rodney Morris, 6-4, Jr., F (transfer from William Fleming); Carlos Day, 5-10, Soph., G; Brandon Mills, 6-0, Soph., G; Jonathan Whorley, 6-2, Jr., C; Jonathan Pankey, 6-5, Soph., C.
Outlook: What more can Liberty do than finish unbeaten and win a Group AA title? The Minutemen still have high expectations with Arrington, the boys' Sizzlin' Sophomore of the Year, returning along with Carson. Preston was last season's sixth man, but the key might be how well Morris, a transfer from Fleming who was outstanding in the Group AAA tournament, fits into the lineup.
STAUNTON RIVER
1995-96 record: 9-12, 8-11.
Coach: Steve Farquhar, first season.
Returning starters: Jason Morgan, 5-8, Sr., G, 3.0 ppg, 2.0 apg.
Other key players: Chris Martin, 6-0, Sr., F; Matt Roberts, 6-2, Jr., G; Bryan Sink, 5-10, Jr., G; K.C. Carroll, 6-4, Jr., F-C; Adam Johnson, 5-6, Jr., G; Robert Forrest, 6-3, Soph., F.
Outlook: Farquhar takes over a team with little experience and no height and must rebuild.
LENGTH: Medium: 82 linesby CNB