THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 27, 1995 TAG: 9501250145
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 23 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
The Southeastern District title, bragging rights in Chesapeake and the favorite's role in next week's Eastern Region Duals Championships will all be on the line Saturday when Western Branch invades Great Bridge at 3 p.m.
The four-time defending state champion Wildcats (17-1) are the team to beat in any match. Still, strange things usually happen in this rivalry, probably the most spirited in the area.
``There's no love lost between these teams,'' Great Bridge coach Steve Martin said.
In 1990, the Bruins won by a point, ending a five-year Great Bridge winning streak. The Wildcats haven't lost to a South Hampton Roads team since.
Two years later, arguably the best Western Branch team of the decade dropped a two-point decision to the Wildcats and never recovered. The Bruins were ousted from the region duals semifinals, while Great Bridge rolled to another state title.
The Wildcats have won easily the past two seasons, but Bruins' coach Terry Perdew thinks this year could be different.
``Anything's possible,'' he said.
Great Bridge has the stronger lineup on paper, so Western Branch (14-0) will have to win big where it's strong and lose closely where it's weak to have a shot.
Breaking it down further, the Bruins need a lot of scoring from its trio of top-ranked wrestlers - Lee Butler (103), Sean Sanderlin (145) and Byron Tucker (152). In addition, Richard Slocumb must capitalize on Jimmy Hawthorne's absence to prevail at 119, Cory Sloane or Matt Peppers must shine at 130, and Bryant Clemmons has to do damage at 140.
The Bruins need to be leading heading into the 171-pound match because the Wildcats enjoy huge advantages in the next two weight classes.
Also, don't be surprised if Perdew juggles a few guys around. Some possibilities: Matt Viola at 103 and Butler at 112, Corey Bauswell to 171, Sanderlin to 152 and, in what would be one of the most interesting matches of the season, Tucker to 160 for a shot at Wildcat star Billy Allred.
The Wildcats could benefit by the return of Michael Harper, a state qualifier at 145 last season who has missed a month because of injury. Harper, certified at 140 this year, has been working out this week and Martin said he may make his return Saturday. by CNB