THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 13, 1995 TAG: 9501130628
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
Cox girls basketball coach Clare Le Blanc has never had a losing season in five years in Virginia Beach, including stints at Princess Anne and Green Run.
But that could change as the Falcons have stumbled to a 3-9 start.
The tone was set when senior guard and field hockey star Kirsty Hale decided not to play basketball. Hale was the Falcons' second-leading scorer last season. She is expected to return to action in the spring for her final soccer season.
``That hurt a lot,'' Le Blanc said. ``But you have to understand that everything Kirsty Hale does, she does 100 percent, emotionally and physically. And at the end of the field hockey season, she was just exhausted.
``She could not give 100 percent in her mind, and when she thinks she can't give 100 percent, she doesn't think she should be out there. She needed to sit out a season and, unfortunately, it was mine.''
Injuries and inexperience also have played a role in the Falcons' slow start. Three players, including Shannon Drury, have missed time with injuries. Also Le Blanc starts three underclassmen.
``The good thing about this is that the younger kids are getting experience,'' Le Blanc said. ``They've been wonderful in keeping their spirits up. When I look at this team, I know that they'll be better off in the long run. We'll be a talented team in time to come.''
1,000-POINT CLUB: Kellam senior Anne Marie Bowdoin joined the ranks of players who have scored 1,000 points or more last Friday night in a 77-58 loss to Tallwood.
Bowdoin, who has signed with Liberty University, finished the game with 30 points. She went on to boost her total to 1,079, with 30 against Green Run and 18 against Oscar Smith.
HIGHS AND LOWS: The most points scored this season in a single game belongs to Bayside's Kristy Bryant, who had 42 against First Colonial Tuesday night. . junior made seven in the Salem Girls Christmas tournament. . . . Top-ranked Kempsville leads the area in scoring with 75.1 points per game; the Chiefs had a high of 93 Tuesday against Green Run. Kempsville, allowing only 37.8 points per game, held Ocean Lakes to an area-low 11 on opening night.
ONE UP, ONE DOWN: Starting the first week of Eastern District play, seventh-ranked Booker T. Washington wanted a special look for good luck. So the Bookers came out against Maury with one sock pulled up to the knee and one ankle sock.
What ever happened to a lucky rabbit's foot?
SCHOLARSHIP: Ten high school seniors nationwide who have achieved academic and athletic excellence in spite of the challenge of asthma are eligible for scholarships awarded by Schering/KEY of Kenilworth, N.J.
The top prize is $10,000 and will be awarded at a special presentation event in New York City in June.
For applications and information brochures about the Asthma Athlete Scholarship Program, call 410-778-2252. The filing deadline is March 31. by CNB