THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 21, 1994 TAG: 9407190186
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
The Virginia Beach Rising Stars girls basketball league concluded a wildly successful season last week at Princess Anne.
Kempsville drubbed Indian River for the championship following an all-star game between players from the two divisions before a packed house.
Princess Anne girls varsity coach Brian Miller dreamed up the project two years ago and innaugurated it last summer as a showcase for area players.
As far as Miller knows, it is the only scholastic girls summer league in the area. And since last year, the league has expanded to 18 teams that field 272 girls. Five teams were put on a waiting list until next year because there was no room to fit them into the two divisions.
Ideally, and with more sponsorship, Miller would like to see the league add a developmental division for 12- to 15-year-olds.
``This year exceeded last year,'' Miller said. ``It's been a real good experience. The college coaches have come out.
``We even started earlier this year to get away from the camps.''
Though Miller was elated about the success and enthusiasm surrounding this year's league, he'd eventually like to see it grow into a premier showcase with established sponsorship.
``It's a chance for the kids to play and get exposure,'' he said. ``It's time that the girls get a quality showcase. They're just as marketable.''
So far, Miller's dream is headed to reality.
Converse and the Dragas Companies out of Virginia Beach picked up some of the tab and donated prizes to the girls including T-shirts, posters and athletic bags while league MVPs Misty Colebank (Salem), Kizzy Butler (Churchland), Michelle Boyd (Deep Creek) and Ann Marie Bowdoin (Kellam) got to pick a pair of $90 sneakers, compliments of the shoe company.
Dunbar, who dazzled the crowd with 11 points - nine of which came from three-pointers - in the all-star game, has enjoyed the league and is confident that summer basketball will improve her team in the regular season.
``It's good because I still get to play ball in the summer,'' said Dunbar, who also participated in the league last year. ``The competition is a little harder, but it just depends on how you play. And, it shows them (her team) what they have to do to get better. We have to work harder.''
Norfolk Academy's Kendra Robins, a rising sophomore, said that the league, which is team oriented, will ultimately give her squad the upper hand against the Tidewater Conference of Independent schools opponents. Norfolk Academy, though a bit leary, had the opportunity to play public schools for the first time. They play at different times of the year during school.
Robins said her teammates were nervous at first because of the traditional strength of public school teams as opposed to private schools. But the Bulldogs' confidence was lifted when they defeated Group AAA defending state champion Salem and Bayside.
Robins added that the league was good preparation for the team in its upcoming season. Since the private schools play in the fall, practice for Robins and her teammates starts in just a few weeks.
``We get into it in another month and we've already played together as a team,'' Robins said.``We're better prepared.''
Miller initiated the league as a model that would bring successful programs closer to home for his Princess Anne team. He wanted to demonstrate to his players the elements needed to get to the next level, the regional tournament.
But in the last two years it's turned out to be much more to Miller than winning or creating a regional qualifier.
``We've kept it simple and emphasized a spirit of camaraderie among the girls,'' he said. ``I think the kids enjoy it, and it's given me the opportunity to get to know them and their parents. It's a good family atmosphere.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by PETER D. SUNDBERG
Erin Duckett, left, of Kempsville guards Nichole Council of
Churchland during the all-star game.
by CNB