THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 19, 1994 TAG: 9411190603
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
James Sweat is in his seventh year as Norfolk State's women's basketball coach, and his goal is the same every season.
``I always shoot for the Final Four,'' Sweat said.
Sweat took the Spartanettes there in 1991, and after consecutive appearances in the final eight, he may have the talent to get them there again.
``This is the best team I've had at Norfolk State,'' he said.
Which is saying something. The Spartanettes were 27-4 last year, 29-3 the year before and are 140-20 over the past five years.
But never before has Sweat had five starters returning, and three newcomers who should provide instant help.
Leading the way are point guard Lisa Rice, the CIAA player of the year last year, and forward Kristi Greene, a first-team All-American.
Rice, a 5-3 senior, needs just 125 assists to become the all-time leader in Division II. Greene, a 5-11 senior, averaged 19.7 points and 11.3 rebounds after transferring last year from Miami-Dade Community College.
Also back are 5-11 sophomore LaTina Bullock, who led the conference in scoring and was named rookie of the year, and 5-9 senior Rolanda Dent, who averaged 14.9 points.
The fifth starter is Michelle Sessoms, a 6-1 sophomore who broke into the starting lineup last December and became a fixture at center.
Added to the mix this year will be a couple of transfers from California: 5-8 junior Monica Filer and 6-0 senior Danielle Hill. Filer averaged 10 points at Southwestern Community College in Chula Vista, while Hill averaged 9.8 points at Cal State-San Bernadino.
Hill will sit out the first semester, as will 6-1 junior Erica Taylor, a transfer from Virginia State.
``These players are going to give us depth this year,'' Sweat said. ``In some cases last year we had a drop-off in talent.''
Sweat's teams like to run and press for 40 minutes, so depth is essential.
Expect no change in that style this year.
``We're going to press every opportunity we get. That's my style,'' Sweat said. ``I've been very successful doing that, and I'm not going to change.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
James Sweat
by CNB