ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, January 18, 1997 TAG: 9701200104
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
For Salem and Northside, today's Crestar Classic basketball bonanza might be an exercise in survival.
These two Group AA basketball programs, dominant for the past few years on a regional and state basis, are struggling big time.
They'll open and close the four-game Crestar Classic at the Salem Civic Center that pits four Roanoke Valley teams against quality opposition from outside the area.
Northside, which started the year with seven consecutive losses, takes on Nansemond River, an old nemesis it battled in the 1992 and 1995 state championship games, at 3 p.m.
In the final game, scheduled around 8:15 p.m., preseason Blue Ridge District favorite Salem tackles unbeaten Woodrow Wilson of Beckley (W.Va.), which is ranked No.1 in the Mountain State's top classification. The Spartans have struggled with a 4-6 record and are a game off the lead in the Blue Ridge District race.
The season hasn't been as bleak for Patrick Henry and William Fleming, a couple of teams expected to battle for the top of the Group AAA Roanoke Valley District.
William Fleming, which led the RVD going into Friday's game at Cave Spring, battles once-beaten Potomac at 4:45 p.m. in a rematch of last year's Northwest Region semifinal won by the Colonels 60-58.
Patrick Henry takes on another perennial Northwest Region power, Woodbridge, at 6:30 p.m. The Patriots have lost only to William Fleming in the RVD race.
But Northside and Salem have mystified local basketball followers. The Vikings never had lost more than five games in a row under coach Billy Pope. That was in 1988, the last year the Vikings played in the RVD. Northside lost 85-62 to Nansemond River in the 1992 state title game and 84-57 in the 1995 finale.
Nansemond River is only 7-4, since moving to the Group AAA ranks this winter. However, the Warriors return Antoine Willie (27.8 points per game), who was the Group AA Player of the Year last winter.
Northside (2-8 going to Salem Friday) has only one senior on the squad. Still, Pope hasn't changed his philosophy.
``I don't like it [the losing], but we're working on it,'' said Pope. ``I don't think anyone, players or coaches, is satisfied. We're doing what the only formula there is, to keep working as hard as we can. That's everybody.''
The one Vikings senior is 6-foot-3 Spencer Richardson, who hadn't played high school basketball until this winter.
``We're not looking down the road [and saying] wait until next year,'' said Pope. ``I don't believe in it. You have to make your way each and every day. I don't understand any other way except to prepare for the next game.... Who knows what will happen?''
Northside won twice after the opening losses, then was bombed 72-55 by Blue Ridge District leader William Byrd on the Vikings' court.
Salem returned its entire team that lost 83-66 in the Region III semifinals last season to unbeaten and eventual state champion Liberty.
Herschel Thomas led the team with 16.9 points a game and narrowly missed being picked Sizzlin' Sophomore of the Year in Timesland. This season, Thomas has averaged only 12.1 points a game with other teams concentrating their defenses on him. Four of Salem's losses have come to Group AAA teams, but the Spartans were shocked 55-53 by Lord Botetourt in their last outing before Friday.
``Yes, we had everybody back and this team had postseason written all over it. But we won some real close games last year. We didn't blow anyone out,'' said Salem coach Charlie Morgan.
Salem came out of the Crestar a year ago with a 5-6 record after losing 92-69 to eventual Group AAA champion George Washington-Danville. Eric Grinnell, the team's big man, has played injured and Morgan felt his team might start slowly. Maybe not this slowly, though.
``These guys came in looking at what they accomplished last year. Looking at it on paper isn't the way to win games,'' Morgan said. ``If you don't play defense, you don't deserve to win. We let Botetourt's guys drive right by us. You have to take control a little bit.
``I'm not giving up on the team. But I told some of the players they'll be sitting on the bench if we don't get the defense we want. It goes back to discipline. We don't have the kind of talent where a player can do his thing. If we're going to be beat, we'll be beat with guys doing the right things.''
Of the outside teams participating, Potomac is 13-1 with only a loss to Gonzaga (D.C.). The Panthers are led by point guard Mookie Felder (15 ppg., 7.0 assists per game).
Woodbridge lost to Gar-Field, which dropped an overtime game to Patrick Henry in the NationsBank Holiday Hoops Classic. The Vikings (9-3) are very young after losing their six top players from a year ago.
Woodrow Wilson was 5-0 before Friday.
LENGTH: Medium: 89 linesby CNB