ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, November 28, 1996 TAG: 9612030009
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-5 EDITION: HOLIDAY
DATELINE: NARROWS
TYPE: HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
SOURCE: BILL RAY STAFF WRITER
After a disappointing 1995 campaign, Narrows head basketball coach Todd Lusk says this year's team is not about to turn in a repeat performance.
In six years as head coach at the school, last season's 8-11 record was the first time he had finished with more losses than wins.
"So far in practice the attitude has been better than any team I have coached," Lusk said. "It has just been phenomenal. The kids really want to bounce back after last season."
But success will have to be accomplished without the benefit of any significant size among the players. Rather, the team will rely on the leadership of three seniors and team speed to achieve its goals.
"We have some good inside people and some good guards for a nice mix," Lusk said. "This is also one of the quickest teams I've had. I feel like our biggest weakness is our overall lack of height and experience."
Lusk says he will be looking to sharpshooter Joe Shipbaugh, who averaged 18 points per game last season, for most of the team's scoring. Shipbaugh will be filling the vacancy left by Bryan Pruett, the team's leading scorer from last season. Pruett is now playing for Radford University.
Although Grayson County has won the district two years running, Lusk says there is relative parity in the league.
"You have Grayson and Bland who over the past few years have stood out," he said. "Everyone else has been in a little pack. Anyone can knock off anyone on any night."
The Blue Devils of Grayson County plan to stay on top of that pack for the third consecutive season. The Devils have three seniors. After losing a slew of veterans from the 1995 Mountain Empire District championship squad, the reins will be handed to Chad McMillian, Wes Self and Derek Phipps as the team vies for a threepeat.
Last season the team made it to the final eight in the Group A state tournament, finishing 20-5.
"Top to bottom this league is pretty strong," Grayson County head coach John Ayers said. "We lost nine seniors off last year's team, but we had a solid JV program to fill in the holes."
Close on the Blue Devils' heels will be the Maroon Tide of Galax. With the return of All-district forward Nate Noel, as long as the team can remain healthy, they should be in contention to end Grayson's recent dominance. But already, the Tide has suffered a preseason casualty as big man Mike Shumate went down with a bum ankle early in practice. Head coach Ken Ross said the point guard position also could be a problem, with two sophomores battling for the starting duties.
"We graduated eight seniors and really have no depth this year," Ross said. "But I don't think anyone is going to run away with this league. It is going to come down to who can win their home games and steal a few on the road."
Building on last season's 11-10 record, Bland also will be in the hunt for the title, having lost fewer starters than anyone from last season's program. With a emphasis on youth and reaping the benefits of a strong JV team, the Rockets could be right in the thick of the district title race.
Jason Porter, a 6-foot-7 senior will lead Danny Jonas' Fort Chiswell squad in its attempt to improve on a 12-11 1995-96 finish. Porter, along with fellow seniors Heath Bralley and Derrick Jackson, will form a solid nucleus.
Rounding out the Mountain Empire is last year's district runner-up, Rocky Gap. Despite an 8-12 overall record last season, the Eagles managed to finish 6-4 in the district. Back from that second-place team will be a pair of senior forwards - Brian Payne and Steve Black - who with junior guard Matthew Akers will keep their team in contention for the title.
Narrows
95-96 record: 8-11 overall, 8-0 in the Mountain Empire District
Coach: Todd Lusk, 6th year (68-52)
Returning starters: Joe Shipbaugh, Sr. 18 ppg., Jason Mullins, Sr. 9 ppg., David Turner, Sr. 5 ppg.
Other key players: Jeff Bowers Jr. G, Dallas Sinclair Jr. G, Jason McCroskey Jr, F.
Outlook: The Green Wave lost its top scorer from last season when Bryan Pruitt graduated, but will have Joe Shipbaugh to pick up the scoring slack. After its first losing season in the six-year tenure of coach Todd Lusk, this team has shown a strong desire to improve on last season's record. The Green Wave can expect tough competition from last season's district champion, Grayson County, as well as a youthful Bland team and a well-coached Galax squad.
Predicted order of finish: 1, Grayson County; 2, Galax; 3, Narrows; 4, Fort Chiswell; 5, Bland; 6, Rocky Gap
LENGTH: Medium: 85 linesby CNB