THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 31, 1995 TAG: 9508290149
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 23 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALS, COMPASS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Long : 114 lines
LIKE LAST SEASON, the girls basketball race in the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools should come down to an eleventh-hour cat fight between Norfolk Academy, last year's league champs, and Nansemond-Suffolk, which took the tournament with its unmerciful defense.
``It looks like it's going to be a repeat of last year,'' Norfolk Academy coach Joanne Renn said.
The Bulldogs, a traditionally scrappy group, will be led by junior guard Kendra Robins and boast eight returning seniors along with junior varsity additions from a team that won the TCIS.
Nansemond-Suffolk is just as tough with Ann Murden and Jill VanGuilder in the paint. But, offense isn't where the Saints will win it. Traditionally, they've been most successful on the other side of the ball and that's where coach Larry Riggs says they'll do it again.
``Defense,'' he said. ``That'll be our strong point. I'm going to be able to go eight deep again.''
After that, it's anybody's guess.
Norfolk Collegiate returns four starters but lacks depth. However, the Oaks could be the dark horse in a tight, emotional race.
``It's going to be very hard to beat Nansemond-Suffolk and Norfolk Academy,'' Oaks' coach Larry Bowman said.
A team-by-team look at the TCIS, listed in the predicted order of finish:
NORFOLK ACADEMY
Coach: Joanne Renn.
Top returners: Kendra Robins, G, Jr.; Kate Rowen, F, Jr.; Catherine Ware, C, Sr.; Angie Hucles, G, Sr.; Stephanie York, G, Sr.; Laura Morgan, G/F, Sr.; Erica Blachman, G, Sr.; Cary Savage, G, Sr.
Top newcomers: Sarah Michaels, G/F, 8th grader; Evan Pitler, G, Jr.; Stacy Ginsburg, C, So.
Outlook: The Bulldogs return eight seniors from a team that won the regular season crown, but fell in the tourney to N-SA. Topping the returners is Robins, who averaged 16.8 points and was last year's player of the year and All-Tidewater pick. Norfolk Academy, with its depth and winning tradition, should battle with N-SA for the crown.
NANSEMOND-SUFFOLK
Coach: Larry Riggs.
Top returners: Ann Murden, F, Jr.; Jill VanGuilder, G/F, Sr.; Leslie Greskevitch, G, Sr.; Allison Dunn, G, So.; Katherine Stewart, G, Sr.; Lea Wilson, F, Sr.; Sarah Putnam, G, Sr.
Top newcomers: None.
Outlook: The returners won the title as sophomores and juniors and will contend again this season. Murden, an All-TCIS pick is ``twice the player she was last year,'' Riggs says and teaming up with VanGuilder, also an All-TCIS selection, in the paint should make the Saints tough to beat. Greskevitch, a relentless defender, will head up a tenacious running defense that can go eight players deep.
NORFOLK COLLEGIATE
Coach: Larry Bowman.
Top returners: Elizabeth Swearingen, G, Jr.; Carol Baker, G, Jr.; Julie Tebault, C, Sr.; Melanie Sandford, F, Sr.; Kelly Jones, F, So.; Shana Crockett, F, So.; Erin McLeroy, F, Jr.
Top newcomers: Corey Davenport, G, Jr.
Outlook: The Oaks return experience and scoring power with Swearingen, Baker, Tebault and Sandford. Collegiate could be the spoiler if the Oaks stay healthy and out of foul trouble.
CATHOLIC
Coach: Leanne Eyler.
Top returners: Sam Green, G, Sr.; Stacy Davis, C, Jr.; Teresa Jennette, G, Jr.; Sarah Army, G, Sr.; Erin Osbourne, F, Jr.
Top newcomers: Diana Koucheravy, G, Fr.; Meagan Petchal, G, So.; Nikki Harris, F, Jr.
Outlook: The Crusaders are young and learning a new coach's system. Eyler, a former standout at Catholic herself, moved up from the junior varsity job to replace longtime coach Jerry Carmody. Watch for the Crusaders to come on strong in the second half of the season.
NORFOLK CHRISTIAN
Coach: Jim Royster.
Top returners: Jackie Macklem, G/F, Sr.; Lynn Merkel, C/F, Sr.; Amy Floyd, G/F, Sr.; Kelly Hargrove, G, Sr.; April Prentiss, G, Sr.; Kristin Brown, F, Sr.; Bonnie Carter, C, So.; Debbie McMichael, F, Sr.; Eliza Colquitt, G/F, Jr.
Top newcomers: Erin Hatcher, C, Fr.
Outlook: The Ambassadors are looking to elevate their program under the direction of first year head coach Royster, who coached in the Beach for more than 20 years. Macklem, a 5-foot-9 guard who is one of the league's most dangerous offensive weapons, will run the open court and the baseline. Defense will play a key role in Norfolk Christian's success.
GREENBRIER CHRISTIAN
Coach: Cal Woolard.
Top returners: Mandy Havens, Sr.; Michael Hines, Sr.; Karen Carmichael, Sr.; Kelly Holland, Jr.
Top newcomers: Katie Sherwood, So.; Carolyn Sprankle, Jr.; Anna Barrett, So.; Alyson Mazur, Jr.; Ginny Fletcher, eighth-grader.
Outlook: The Gators have two top notch post players in Havens and Sherwood, but they are young everywhere else. Mazur will have to learn the point quickly in order for Greenbrier to be competitive.
CAPE HENRY
Coach: Kim Aston.
Outlook: The Dolphins will be rebuilding and hope to stage a few upsets in the second half of the season. ILLUSTRATION: File photo by L. TODD SPENCER
Nansemond-Suffolk's Leslie Greskevitch, left, and Norfolk Academy's
Kendra Robins battle for the basketball during action last season.
by CNB