THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 4, 1994 TAG: 9412020231
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
Everything and everybody are looking up at Wilson.
That's the good news and the bad news, says Tommy Kilpatrick, the boys basketball coach of the Presidents.
The good news? ``We're looking to move up in the Southeastern standings,'' explained Kilpatrick, who is starting his second season at the helm of the Presidents after previously coaching at Manor and Portsmouth Catholic.
Wilson finished seventh among the eight teams last year with a 1-13 district mark.
``Churchland, Indian River and maybe Deep Creek are a step ahead of the rest of us this year but it should really be a battle between the others,'' added Kilpatrick.
The bad news? ``We have one of the smaller teams in the district,'' said the coach. ``Our center will be 6-1. Our starting guards are 5-9 and 5-7. The only height we have comes from players up from the junior varsity.
``So we can be hurt off the boards. We've got to get the ball up the floor in a hurry, beat teams up court and play great defense.''
Kilpatrick says there will be offensive changes from a year ago. ``Last year it was like a jailbreak. Get the ball and go. This year we'll have a controlled break. We're not the best shooting team either so we'll have to show more patience on our shots.''
The addition of point guard Darrius Edwards, the leading pass catcher in area football this year, and the improvement of holdovers Perez Bottoms and Dvorak Crocker will make the Presidents a much better team.
``As a sophomore among a bunch of older players last year, Bottoms was a little reluctant to be a scorer,'' said Kilpatrick. ``He should put up some points this season. He's running indoor track as well as playing basketball but he can run all day. I won't have to worry about getting him out for a breather. And he is really coming into his own as a basketball player.
``There's no question that Crocker is our most improved player. He's a great defensive player and we'll be using him up front when we press and trap.''
Crocker, Edwards and Darryl Scott are the lone seniors on the 14-player squad, which includes eight juniors, two sophomores and a freshman, 5-9 Terrance Winston, the football quarterback.
At 6-1, Crocker will be giving up much height to opposing centers.
Edwards elected not to play last year but he will be directing the attack this season. Scott, the district's top rusher in football, is just recovering from an injury to his left shoulder (he's lefthanded) and will play the No. 2 guard. ``He can be an impact player,'' said Kilpatrick.
The other starter likely will be Stephen White, a 6-0 junior forward. Andy Ballard and Nick Clark, both juniors, probably will be first off the bench.
The jayvee grads providing the height are juniors Donald Wells and Tornby Hall, both 6-4. Wilson also will be boosted by the addition of Tyree Kee and Rahn Sykes, who are ineligible until mid-semester.
The Presidents have lined up the area's toughest pre-season schedule, opening this past Friday night at home against Booker T. Washington, hosting Maury this Friday, playing at Deep Creek on Dec. 16 and returning home on Dec. 20 against Indian River. Then comes the Lakeland Holiday Tournament.
``Four of the best teams in the state, followed by a tournament,'' said Kilpatrick. ``But we'll use it as an opportunity to play a lot of people early. And, if we make it through December, maybe we'll do something.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
Perez Bottoms is expected to star for Wilson this year.
by CNB