ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, March 13, 1997               TAG: 9703130046
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: B-4  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM THE ROANOKE TIMES

NOONKESTER, TEAM RECOVERING NICELY GLENVAR WAS HURTING WITHOUT HIM

An early-season hip injury was only a temporary setback for sophomore center Seth Noonkester and the Highlanders.

When Seth Noonkester suffered a serious hip injury in the fifth game of the basketball season, it appeared the year was over for Glenvar's 6-foot-5 center - and for the Highlanders

With a fast recovery and some determination, Noonkester is back and playing a key role as Glenvar prepares to take on fellow Three Rivers District member Floyd County at 8:30 p.m. today in a Group A semifinal at Liberty University.

The sophomore was averaging 10 points a game when he got hurt. With Glenvar taking on a schedule loaded with Group AA and AAA teams, the Highlanders hardly could afford to lose their tallest player and third-leading scorer.

``He had some ligaments that pulled loose from his [right] hip bone,'' said Glenvar coach Art Lawrence. ``He went down in the Parry McCluer game at home. We had a trainer look at him. He thought it was just a hip bone bruise.

``Seth tried to play, went up and down the court two times and then had to come out. He saw a doctor who said he'd be out at least six weeks. When they say that, it's generally seven or eight weeks.''

Noonkester remembers landing awkwardly on his right leg. ``At first, I thought it was just a hip pointer,'' he said. ``I knew a hip pointer wasn't serious, and this was more painful, that something else was wrong.''

For Noonkester, who made it through football season without injury as Glenvar's quarterback, the news was crushing. ``I had so many expectations,'' he said. ``The doctor allowed me just to watch and that was tough.''

``He didn't even shoot free throws,'' Lawrence said. ``He was on crutches a couple of days. He wasn't supposed to put any weight on'' the leg.

In late January, Noonkester returned to the Highlanders' lineup against Radford. The next day, he scored three points in a 79-76 loss to Floyd County.

``Against Radford, he could play eight minutes total. Against Floyd County, he was allowed to play 16 minutes,'' Lawrence said. ``After seeing the doctor, he was allowed to go full games the rest of the way.''

Now it seems Noonkester is almost back to early-season form. ``Probably by the George Wythe game he was showing signs of endurance and back in good shape,'' Lawrence said, referring to a matchup with the Maroons in the Region C tournament.

``When I first came back, I was worried about'' the hip, Noonkester said. ``I could tell it was not normal when I came back. Then one day it was normal again. I feel 100 percent now.''

In the past three games, he has scored 39 points. For Lawrence, Noonkester is a key if his team is to win a state title.

``I've always said games are won in the paint and on defense,'' the coach said. ``When you have a 6-5 kid who can play, it's very important.''

LENGTH: Medium:   61 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  DON PETERSEN THE ROANOKE TIMES. Seth Noonkester (right) 
          overcame foul trouble to score 10 points in the second half against 
          J.I. Burton in the Group A basketball tournament.