THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 2, 1994 TAG: 9412020713
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 93 lines
The buzzword this year in the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools is parity. The consensus of coaches is that Nansemond-Suffolk has the top shot at the title and past that the league is wide-open. Two schools, Cape Henry and Norfolk Academy, lost all five of their starters, and defending champ Norfolk Christian returns only center Matt Morelewski. But these teams aren't necessarily rebuilding, because they've got quality players coming up from the junior varsity.
1993-94 champion: Norfolk Christian
Predicted order of finish: 1. Nansemond-Suffolk. 2. Walsingham. 3. Norfolk Christian. 4. Greenbrier Christian. 5. Hampton Roads. 6. Norfolk Academy. 7. Cape Henry. 8. Norfolk Collegiate. 9. Catholic. 10. Peninsula Catholic.
NANSEMOND-SUFFOLK
Coach: Trip Hobbs (123-77 in 8 years)
Last season: 13-12 overall, 4-4 TCIS
Impact players: Paul Fleming, 6-4 junior forward; Tim Dougherty, 6-3 senior guard; John Dragseth, 6-8 junior center
Newcomers to watch: Eddie Bagnell, 6-2 junior forward; David Putnam, 6-2 freshman forward
Outlook: The Saints return Dougherty, a second team All-TCIS pick and one of the conference's premier guards. The strength is the post game, especially with returning starter Fleming and big man Dragseth.
NORFOLK CHRISTIAN
Coach: Dave Walker (64-45 in 4 years).
Last season: 23-7 overall, 7-1 TCIS
Impact players: Matt Morelewski, 6-3 senior center; Josh Crouse, 5-11 senior guard; Matt Taylor, 6-3 senior guard-forward
Newcomers to watch: Sean Hildebrandt, 6-4 senior forward; Kevin Ryan, 5-11 junior guard; Peter Nichols, 5-11 junior guard
Outlook: With only three players who have spent any time in his system, Walker is spending the early part of the season just showing everyone the ropes. Outside scoring from guards Crouse and Taylor will be a strength.
GREENBRIER CHRISTIAN
Coach: Terry Evans
Last season: 9-18. New TCIS member
Impact players: Scott Caviness, 6-2 senior center-forward; Heath Burris, 6-3 junior guard-forward; Chad Dunlow, 6-0 junior forwar
Newcomers to watch: Frankie Cabrera, 5-11 sophomore guard; Scott Sherwood, 6-3 sophomore center; Joe Dean, 6-2 senior center-forward
Outlook: The Gators are a question mark in their first conference season. Evans says his team is quick overall, but needs to improve its defensive skills and team play.
NORFOLK ACADEMY
Coach: Dave Trickler (437-299 in 28 years)
Last season: 16-12 overall, 7-1 TCIS
Impact players: Scott Boyce, 6-2 senior forward; Stuart Sterling, 6-4 senior center; Billy Boyce, 5-9 senior guard
Newcomers to watch: Bryan Duquette, 5-10 junior guard; Drew McKnight, 5-11 junior guard.
Outlook: The Bulldogs don't return anyone that saw significant action, so their success will depend on how quickly they overcome that inexperience. Rebounding and ballhandling might be a problem early.
CAPE HENRY
Coach: Dave Cameron (60-65 in 5 years)
Last season: 17-10 overall, 4-4 TCIS
Impact players: Alan Haynsworth. 6-0 senior guard; Ben Dease, 6-2 senior forward; Mac Brown, 6-1 junior forward
Newcomers to watch: Chris DiNunzio, 6-9 junior center; Dan Cashman, 6-0 sophomore guard
Outlook: The big addition is DiNunzio, a transfer from First Colonial, who has good ballhandling skills for a big man and runs the floor well. Cape Henry isn't hurting for height, with three guys on the bench who are 6-5.
NORFOLK COLLEGIATE
Coach: Larry Schwab (55-55 in 4 years)
Last season: 16-12 overall, 4-4 TCIS
Impact players: Jeff Oerlich, 6-5 senior center; David Greer, 6-3 senior forward-guard
Newcomers to watch: Jason Jordan, 6-3 junior forward; Trey Cooper, 6-0 junior guard; Nick Jocivides, 6-2 sophomore guard
Outlook: Collegiate returns just two starters in Oerlich and Greer. The Oaks will make mistakes early, but they'll be a different team by midseason.
CATHOLIC
Coach: Dennis Price
Last season: 3-22 overall, 2-6 TCIS
Impact players: Jimmy Whitehead, 6-2 senior forward; Andrew Prickett, 5-11 senior guard; Chris Williams, 6-3 senior forward
Newcomers to watch: Bert Holmes, 6-0 senior forward; Byron Whitehead, 6-0 sophomore guard; Ryan Andrews, 6-2 junior forward
Outlook: Price says that attitude will play a key role in Catholic's success this year. The Crusaders are athletic and can go eight to 10 players deep. But poor shooting from the field is a weakness. by CNB