THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 17, 1995 TAG: 9503170667
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE MICHAUX, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
Earlier this week, with the Group AA state semifinals just days away, Nansemond River's gym was vacant.
Warriors head coach Spencer Mayfield wouldn't say where they practiced this week, only that they went ``away.''
``It's good to practice on a neutral floor,'' Mayfield said. ``It helps you get used to a different atmosphere.''
The atmosphere at the Vines Center at Liberty University will no doubt be upbeat when the Warriors take on Liberty High School of Bedford in the first semifinal game of the Group AA state tournament today at 1 p.m. Caroline and Northside meet in the second game at 2:45.
Bedford is just 30 minutes from Lynchburg, and Liberty coach Mark Hanks expects a large contingent to make the trip to see his team play in its first semifinal.
``We should have a big crowd,'' Hanks said. ``But that could affect us adversely. It's a different floor, a different gym. The only advantage we have is that we don't have to travel as far, but you just can't speculate on the intangibles.''
As styles go, Liberty is a smaller, less athletic version of Nansemond River. Liberty, which finished the regular season ranked fifth in the state poll, plays up-tempo and averages 75 points a game, with one very basic difference from the Warriors.
``We don't have a (Montoria) Valentine or (Antoine) Willie,'' Hanks said. ``We spread the points out more.''
All-Region III center Stephen Schrader leads the Minutemen in scoring at 13 points per game. But Liberty's success depends heavily on the performance of guards J.J. Coles and Greg Reynolds.
``How they play really determines what kind of night we will have,'' Hanks said.
``But somebody has got to play Nansemond River. We don't mind doing it.'' by CNB