THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 1, 1994 TAG: 9412010634
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
Booker T. Washington is a solid favorite to repeat as Eastern District champ with its size and experience. But Maury's Shwante Snead could help Maury to a title with help from two big transfers.
1993-94 champion: Booker T. Washington
Predicted order of finish: 1. Booker T. Washington; 2. Maury; 3. Granby; 4. Norview; 5. Lake Taylor
Team-by-team capsule looks:
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON
Coach: Cal Davidson (13th year)
Last season: 16-6 overall, 7-1 district (1st); won district tournament; lost in region semifinals
Impact players: Cheria Askew, 6-1 senior center; Jenell Yarn, 5-11 junior forward; Alicia Fields, 5-4 senior guard
Newcomers to watch: Raquita Washington, 5-3 sophomore guard; Leah Byrd, 5-9 junior forward; Kiki Sowell, 5-10 senior forward
Outlook: the Bookers should win the district easily. Askew will be a force.
MAURY
Coach: Bobby Howlett (fourth year, 37-23)
Last season: 10-10, 5-3 district (3rd); runner-up in district tournament; lost in region quarters.
Impact players: Shwante Snead, junior guard; Lisa Joyner, 4-11 senior guard; Stephanie Clay, 5-8 senior forward
Newcomers to watch: Paige Giffin, a 5-11 forward who earned All-Italy honors last season; Mary Malone, a 5-7 senior transfer from California
Outlook: With Giffin and Malone, some of the pressure is off Snead. She'll be able to refine her game and lead a well-balanced Commodore team that's capable of winning the district.
LAKE TAYLOR
Coach: Theresa Jones (third year, 23-17)
Last season: 9-10, 6-2 district (2nd)
Impact players: Ravarer Johnson, 5-7 junior forward; Shnaka Walker, 5-9 senior center; Felicia Miller, 5-6 senior guard
Newcomers to watch: Juridas Thompson, 5-4 freshman guard; Fareedah Mahdi, 5-9 junior forward
Outlook: The Titans return only three players and will look to Thompson, who could be the best freshman in the area, for leadership.
GRANBY
Coach: Berdell Wilson (12th year, 142-111)
Last season: 3-14, 2-6 district (4th)
Impact players: Kelly Rogers, 5-8 senior forward; Nicole Jackson, 5-9 junior forward; Tonya Jones, 5-2 junior guard
Newcomer to watch: Katrina Dodson, 5-10 senior forward from Florida
Outlook: The Comets will focus on defense and should be competitive just in time for the district tournament. Wilson may have the district's dark horse.
NORVIEW
Coach: Don Lyons (10th year, 123-90)
Last season: 3-12, 0-8 district (5th)
Impact players: Nadine Ward, 5-11 junior forward; Karen Vetter, 5-4 sophomore guard; Taschell Coaxum, 5-10 senior forward
Newcomers to watch: Heather Emerick, 5-5 freshman guard; Larika Jones, 5-4 sophomore guard; Telesha Peterson, 5-9 freshman forward
Outlook: Lyons will look for first-year players to help all-district pick Ward and top freshman Vetter. by CNB