THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 9, 1994 TAG: 9412070121
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
Norcom boys basketball coach Tony Holloway has a challenge for his Greyhounds this season.
He wants them to double last year's total victories.
A year ago, Norcom posted a 6-16 record, including a sixth-place finish in the Southeastern District with a 5-9 mark.
``I definitely think 12 victories are a realistic figure and within reach for these players,'' said Holloway, one of the school's all-time finest players himself.
``I'm aware our district is tough all the way down the line. There are no easy games. But if we can put everything together we will be all right. Most certainly, I expect us to win more than six games.''
Norcom opened with a 66-54 district loss to Churchland, a game in which the Greyhounds trailed by only two at the half and six after three quarters.
``We want to use that game as a gauge,'' said Holloway. ``Everybody looks at Churchland as one of the high quality teams in the state. They will be better when they get the big man (Marvin Rodgers, who is ineligible until mid-semester) back, but this was a good measuring tool for us.''
Holloway says the No. 1 thing learned from the game was ``that we were not attacking the basket enough, just stopping and putting up jump shots.''
``That's primarily a matter of growth with experience,'' he said.
The key for Norcom this season, according to the coach, is getting people to play their roles and playing the kind of defense he wants.
``We must play a high intensity defense, constantly moving with lots of pressure,'' said Holloway.
Victor Johnson and Torrence Oxendine, two seniors, were the scoring leaders in the opener with 16 and 12 points, respectively. The two are being counted upon to shoulder much of the offensive burden.
Point guard Eric Pope, another senior, just had a cast taken off his broken wrist and will be eased back into action. Possibly, he may play some this weekend when Norcom goes against Nansemond River and Lakeland in the two-day Portsmouth/Suffolk Tipoff Classic at Churchland Friday and Saturday. The Greyhounds switch foes with the Truckers each night.
Quentin Saunders, a junior, is playing at the point now. ``He's a solid performer,'' said Holloway. ``He had six assists in the Churchland game.''
The other starters are Dominique Godfrey, a 6-3 senior forward, and Roberto Pope, a 6-1 senior. Godfrey has been bothered by muscle spasms and went for a checkup Monday.
``Pope (no relation to Eric Pope) is our defensive specialist,'' said Holloway. ``He's quick as a cat and can cause confusion for teams. We'll be assigning him to the top shooters on the other teams.''
Holloway is hoping for a bigger contribution this year from 6-8 junior center Jamal Price, who played sparingly last season. ``He will help us on the boards,'' said Holloway.
Top newcomers include 6-4 sophomore forward Timothy Fields, [6-5 sophomore forward Mike Ponds and 5-9 junior guard Leroy Coker. Ponds was a back-up quarterback on the football team.] ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MARK MITCHELL
Norcom standouts Torrence Oxendine, left, and Roberto Pope.
by CNB