THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 18, 1994 TAG: 9411160125
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL practice began Monday. And the big question waiting to be answered: How will Churchland fare until the return of All-Southeastern District center Marvin Rodgers?
The 6-9 Rodgers is academically ineligible until midsemester and will sit out the Truckers' first 14 games.
But shed no tears for Churchland.
With Rodgers, the Truckers will be awesome. Without Rodgers, they will be very, very good.
Churchland coach Mac Carroll was looking for 22 players at the initial practice but had only 15 turn out. A talented 15.
The holdover starters are area player of the year D. J. Dunbar, All-City point guard Mike Holland, small forward Dion Langley and center John ``Clay'' Walton.
While building around a veteran squad that will include all of last year's starters when Rodgers returns, Carroll has added a couple of exceptional newcomers who will get ample time to display their ability in the meantime.
The additions are junior Jason Lewis and sophomore Sadiki Tinglin. The 6-7 Lewis could be that big man in the middle for the Truckers until RR (Rodgers returns). But either James Harris or Anthony Brown, who sat out last year due to a knee injury, could fill in capably.
Rodgers, who works out on his own in a community center and is progressing nicely in the classroom, has been impressed by what he has seen of Tinglin.
``He could well be the next outstanding player at Churchland,'' said Rodgers.
The Churchland junior varsity has won three consecutive district championships and a few of the stars from last year's title winner will find themselves on a bench that unquestionably will be the Southeastern's finest.
District play will begin Dec. 20, and Carroll has lined up a formidable pre-league schedule for the Truckers. Churchland opens with Norcom Dec. 2 at home. The Truckers then play in the Portsmouth/Suffolk Tipoff Classic against Lakeland and Nansemond River.
Churchland follows with a home game against Maury.
After the conference opener at Western Branch, Churchland will go to Raleigh, N.C., for the News and Observer Tournament. The Truckers will go up against one of the nation's ranked teams, Marietta (Ga.), in the opener of a tournament with 16 outstanding teams.
``Size definitely isn't one of our concerns,'' said Carroll. ``We have six guys who are 6-5 or better.
``We have some talented underclassmen here, but we're primarily a senior-laden team.''
A year ago, Churchland was 13-1 in the district and 25-4 overall. The Truckers were beaten by Petersburg in the state tournament quarterfinals, 58-39. It was the first time Churchland had advanced to the state playoffs since joining the AAA ranks in 1967.
``I expect we'll be feeling the pressure to do as well or better this year,'' said Carroll. ``But I like that.''
Added Carroll: ``The district looks very strong this year. Until Marvin gets back with us, we're looking for other players to pick up the slack. Marvin gave us 16 points and 10 rebounds a game last year, and we need folks to step in and contribute some of that.''
Last year, Rodgers set a single-season school record for rebounds and blocked shots (4.25 per game), and Holland had a school mark for assists (8 per game).
Dunbar's 20.1 scoring average was the district's third best, but he is equally valuable on defense. He averaged three steals a game.
This will be Carroll's third year at the helm of the Truckers. He has a two-year mark of 37-12. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
Churchland will be starting veterans, from left: small forward Dion
Langley, All-City point guard Mike Holland, and center John ``Clay''
Walton.
by CNB