THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 13, 1995 TAG: 9501120172
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, BEACON SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
THE LAST TWO YEARS, Leeanna Lillefloren played center for the Green Run basketball team out of necessity.
But with the arrival this season of 6-foot-4 freshman center Dalchon Brown, Lillefloren is finally getting a chance to show just what kind of basketball player she really is.
So much so, in fact, that the senior forward is now the second-leading scorer in South Hampton Roads at 23.5 points an outing - up from 14.3 last year.
``(Forward) is such a better position for her,'' coach Jim Grigsby said. ``She's only 5-foot-9 . . .5-10, she's not a true center. And she's turning out to be a very good forward.''
The switch has been fun for Lillefloren, and hopefully very productive in terms of her future.
``It's great having her in there,'' Lillefloren said of Brown. ``It's letting me add a lot of diversity to my game.''
Lillefloren is hoping to benefit from the move by gaining a college scholarship, and her numbers this season are helping attract the attention of several recruiters.
After Tuesday's victory over Kellam, Lillefloren is also averaging 10.4 rebounds, one blocked shot, 2.2 steals and 2.2 assists a game.
Now it's just a matter of waiting for her SAT scores to come in. She already has a high enough GPA with the right core classes.
``Several colleges are waiting for those SATs and they should be in any day now,'' Grigsby said. ``Once they know she's qualified, they'll want her. She can do things lots of other players can't and now she's getting the chance to prove it.''
Knowing the move was coming, Lillefloren opted to play volleyball for the first time this fall, and she's glad she did.
``I always thought it was boring, you know, from playing it in P.E. all the time,'' she said. ``But (boys basketball coach Mark Butts) talked me into trying it, saying it would benefit my basketball. He was right.
``Volleyball was a lot more different than I thought it would be and I think it really helped get me ready for basketball. My foot work is better and it's really helped my jumping. I wish I would have gone out for it last year.''
With the added jumping skills and the ability to roam more freely because of her position, Lillefloren has set a goal to improve her rebounding skills.
Her double digit average attests to the fact she is meeting with considerable success.
``I can try a couple of things now,'' she said. ``Against taller teams, I like to sneak into position while the ball's in the air and they're concentrating on it. Against shorter teams, I'll come inside and post up with our center.
``I think I'm playing a lot better this year and I think part of that is because of the position change.''
Grigsby has a computer program he uses to evaluate his players - using positive and negative aspects of the game to come up with a performance ratio.
Lillefloren has finished in the positive side in every game this year - with a season-high of plus-32 against Cox. She's been in double-digits in all but three of 10 games.
``I do that so people who aren't scoring lots of points can see how they are contributing to the team,'' Grigsby said. ``Her 32 was the highest I've ever had since I've been coaching.
``It shows just how well she's been playing.''
Her own success aside, something still puzzles Lillefloren - the team's 4-6 record.
``I really don't get it,'' she said. ``I know Whitney Cali was a big help to us last year and she's gone. But We've got good players and we should be winning more.''
Tuesday's victory over Kellam was a step in the right direction. Facing area leading-scorer Ann Marie Bowdoin, Lillefloren responded with 28 points in her team's 10-point victory. Bowdoin, after scoring only eight in the first half, came alive in the second and finished with 32 to hold onto her No. 1 position.
But the Stallions improved their district record to 3-4 with the victory.
``I think we're starting to play a little better and come together some,'' Lillefloren said. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by LEE TOLLIVER
After Tuesday's victory over Kellam, Leeanna Lillefloren is
averaging 23.5 points, 10.4 rebounds, one blocked shot, 2.2 steals
and 2.2 assists a game. Playing volleyball has helped her jumping
and footwork.
by CNB