THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 31, 1995 TAG: 9503290142
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 126 lines
AS THE SOUTHEASTERN District softball season gets under way, the question doesn't appear to be whether the league has a team good enough to make a run at a state title.
That much seems certain. The real question is, which one? Western Branch and Great Bridge both appear to have state tournament credentials.
It's already been a banner year for Southeastern District teams. Deep Creek's football team reached the state final. Its track team won the indoor state title. Great Bridge's wrestlers continued their state dominance, while Indian River's basketball team advanced to the state semifinals, where they nearly upset a nationally ranked team.
The Bruin and Wildcat softball teams each seem poised to make similar runs. The teams met in last year's regional title game, and both qualified for the state tournament.
There's no reason to doubt they won't do at least as well this year.
Coaches generally would rather endure a root canal than wax boldly about their team's chances. But even Western Branch coach Chris Ake admits the Bruins have strength to spare.
``If the players come together, we should do well,'' Ake conceded. ``If they jell the way they should, who knows how well they'll do?''
Great Bridge coach Noble Palmer thinks he has the answer.
``They're loaded,'' he said. ``They've got a great shot at a state championship.''
Of course, the same could be said of Palmer's Wildcats, who return first-team all-state catcher Marni Magyar, second-team all-state picks Kelly Black and Emily Ouzts and a host of other talented returners.
It wouldn't be surprising if the Wildcats and Bruins quickly turn the Southeastern into a two-team race. They're that strong. Still, virtually all the league's teams figure to be improved, so one or two other teams could emerge as serious contenders.
Deep Creek lost five seniors from a 12-4 team a year ago but has a core of talented newcomers, including pitcher Lauren Fowler. Fowler played for Great Bridge's junior varsity last year.
Oscar Smith is young but experienced, with 10 holdovers from last season. Churchland has many starters back and speed to burn, while Wilson, Indian River and Norcom should all make things interesting.
A look at the district teams:
WESTERN BRANCH
Key players: Nicole Belote, pitcher; Sarah Wolf, second base; Angie Albertson, catcher; Jaci Morris, center field/pitcher; Sarah Baker, infielder; Jennifer Sajko, third base; Chrissie Taylor, right field; Calee Morris, first base.
Outlook: With the loss of only one starter from last year's state qualifiers, big things could be in store for the Bruins. Belote and Morris form an effective pitching combination, and Western Branch has talent and depth everywhere in the lineup.
GREAT BRIDGE
Key players: Marni Magyar, catcher; Emily Ouzts, outfielder; Elizabeth Bain, outfielder; Julie Collins, third base; Lashelle Griffin, shortstop; Dana Crisostomo, outfielder; Kelly Black, second base; Starr Inge, outfielder; Melissa Wooldridge, first base.
Outlook: Magyar swept all district, regional and state honors last season, while Ouzts and Black were first-team all-region picks. Griffin scored the winning run in the Wildcats' 4-2 victory over Western Branch in the Eastern Region final. It was Great Bridge's first regional crown since 1984.
DEEP CREEK
Key players: Jaynene Allen, catcher; Danielle Jones, outfielder; Joy Pack, outfielder; Rhonda Parker, shortstop; Lauren Fowler, pitcher; Keri Carlson, second baseman; Nicole Atperderry, right field.
Outlook: The loss of five seniors has Stephenson hesitant to put too much pressure on this year's Hornets. ``We're hoping to be competitive,'' she said. If Fowler develops and the defense solidifies behind her, being competitive shouldn't be a problem.
OSCAR SMITH
Key players: Starr Parker, shortstop; Anna Miller, center field; Sabrina Gailt, pitcher; Chrissy Jones, pitcher; Lisa Horan, catcher; Jennifer Forehand, right field; Monica Lee, third base; Carla Harris, second base.
Outlook: Parker and Miller, honorable mention all-district picks a year ago, and senior Golt will be charged with leading the youthful Tigers, who figure to be among the most improved teams in the league. Last season, Oscar Smith won just four of 14 league games.
INDIAN RIVER
Key players: Heather Myers, infield; Robin Clark, first base; Christina Couser, pitcher/outfield.
Outlook: The Braves will have to replace five seniors, each of whom had four years of varsity experience. How well Indian River does in the second half of the season should determine whether the team can log a first-division finish.
CHURCHLAND
Key players: Lila Pope, pitcher; Blanca Vasquez, catcher; Stephanie Pinchebeck, first base/outfield; Summer Spiedell, second base/outfield; Shannon Bell, shortstop; Stacey Hundley, second base/third base; Courtney Hundley, outfield; Jenny Walski, pitcher/outfield; Ashley Miller, infield.
Outlook: Junior lefthander Pope will be the Truckers' frontline hurdler. All-district holdovers Pinchbeck and Stacey Hundley head a strong group of returning players, particularly solid in the infield with Bell, Spiedell and Miller also available. Promising newcomers include Terra Bost, Norma Johnson, Jackie Bales and Christine Facenda. Bell led the Truckers in virtually every department last year, hitting .567 with six homers, 28 RBI and 30 runs scored, and was runner-up for city player of the year to Wilson's Leslie Livesay. The lineup is built around speed, too.
WILSON
Key players: Amanda Adams, shortstop; Kelly Cahoon, pitcher/outfielder; Christina Chandler, first base; Amanda Johnson, shortstop; Amber Jones, first base; Sherry Miller, outfielder; Erica Davis, outfielder/first base; Amy Long, pitcher; Wendy Wells, third base.
Outlook: The graduation of two-time all-city performer Leslie Livesay - who batted .694 and drove in a district-leading 42 runs last year - leaves a big void for the Presidents. Furthermore, the lack of a junior varsity team puts the Presidents at a disadvantage, Gordon said. Thirteen freshmen and sophomores will learn on the job. Still, the Presidents finished a solid 9-6 in the league last year and could be one of the better teams toward the end of the season.
NORCOM
Key players: Ginny Franco, designated hitter; Christie Taylor, outfield; Tajuana Folston, outfield.
Outlook: The Greyhounds will battle and scrap, but, as has been the case in past years, pitching could be a problem. Franco is a first-team all-city performer. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MARK MITCHELL
Shortstop Shannon Bell led Churchland in virtually every department
last year, hitting .567 with six homers.
by CNB