THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 10, 1995 TAG: 9509090102
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 25 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Long : 113 lines
THE BAY RIVERS girls basketball race is expected to be a competitive one, with at least five teams having a legitimate shot at the title.
Nansemond River surprised the entire district last season when the Warriors won their first district crown.
``We really had no intentions of winning the district, it just came out that way,'' said Warrior coach Sandra McCray. ``We just wanted to improve on what we did the year before. Two weeks before the season ended, we realized we had a chance.''
Nansemond River won't be able to surprise anyone this season. They're expected to battle Lakeland, Bruton, Franklin and York for the top spot.
Lakeland lost Hope Knight, who averaged 18 points and 13 rebounds per game, to graduation, but will have five players who saw significant playing time last season returning. Franklin should be the most improved team, with four starters returning from last year's 2-16 squad, while Southampton is counting on first-year coach Stacy Carr to turn things around.
Here's a roundup of the area's teams:
LAKELAND
Coach: Stephanie Odom, second year
Last year's record: 18-4 overall; 12-4 Bay Rivers
Returning starters: Angela Jones, F-C, 5-9, Sr.; Kesha Cobb, F, 5-7, Sr.; Cherri Phillips, G, 5-6, Jr.; Rebecca Demiel, G-F-C, 5-7, Jr.; Kristy Cornette, G, 5-5, G.
Top newcomers: Jennifer Craig, F-C, 5-10, So.; Tiffany Barnes, G, 5-4, Jr.
Outlook: Expectations are high for the Cavaliers, and it's no wonder. ``I feel like this team is better than last year,'' Odom said. ``We don't have one superstar like we've usually had. All five people that will be out there can score.''
The Cavaliers will also be deep, with the additions of Craig, a transfer from Wisconsin, and Barnes, a transfer from Nansemond River. Demiel can play any position, while Jones averaged close to eight points per game last season. Lakeland should have little problem matching last year's performance, when they lost in the first round of the state tournament.
NANSEMOND RIVER
Coach: Sandra McCray, sixth year
Last year's record: 17-6 overall; 11-3 district; Bay Rivers champions.
Returning starters: Afriyie Bray, C, 5-10, So.; LaToya Crocker, G, 5-4, Sr.; Angie Gatling, F, 5-9, Jr.; Jannine Porter, G-F, 5-8, Jr.; Amber Tester, G, 5-5, Jr.; Joycelyn Williams, G, 5-7, So.
Top newcomers: None
Outlook: The Warriors have a strong nucleus returning with Porter and Gatling. Porter was named First Team All-District and All-Region, while Gatling earned Second Team All-District. McCray said Nansemond River will be a lot more balanced this year with the six returnees, all of whom saw a lot of playing time last season.
The Warriors will need some younger players to step up in order to prove that last year's district crown was no fluke. ``We should be in the top half (of the district) if we get out and play our game,'' McCray said. ``If we get out of our game plan, we'll be in trouble. We're going to have to be aggressive and want to improve.''
FRANKLIN
Coach: Mona Sumblin, 13th year
Last year's record: 2-16 overall; 2-12 district
Returning starters: Mandi Vick, C, 6-1, Sr.; Marita Barrett, G-F, 5-6, Sr.; Deshawna Lee, G, 5-3, Sr.; Stacy Thomas, G, 5-5, Jr.
Top newcomers: Traci Rose, F, 5-9, Jr.; Valicia Kindred, F, 5-7, So.; Lakina Pilot, G, 5-3, Fr.
Outlook: The Broncos can only improve, and Sumblin is optimistic that they will. Vick will have to continue her great play. Last season she was a First Team All-District and Second Team All-Region selection. The guard positions should be solid with Lee, a great defender, and Thomas returning.
Another positive aspect for the Broncos is a deep bench, which they have been without the past few seasons.
SOUTHAMPTON
Coach: Stacy Carr, first year
Last year: 8-10 overall; 7-7 district
Returning starters: Shanette Gary, G, 5-2, Jr.; Latoya Adkins, G, 5-3, Sr.; Dametri Jones, G-F, 5-9, Sr.
Top newcomers: Cherica Taylor, F, 5-10, Jr.; Tekneka Brown, C, 6-2, Sr.; Nichole Whitfield, G-F, 5-8, Fr.
Outlook: The Indians don't plan to be pushovers because they have a new coach. ``The good thing is that I started (teaching) in the middle of last year and had some of the girls in class and coached JV softball,'' Carr said. ``That's made it a lot smoother because they know me.'' Southampton will have height and speed, but bench and perimeter shooting could pose a problem. Carr is counting on Whitfield, who led Southampton with nine points in a scrimmage last week, to have an impact.
SMITHFIELD
Coach: Vivian Greene, second year
Last year's record: 2-16 overall; 0-14 district
Returning starters: Robin Hall, F-C, 5-10, Sr.; Tyisha Wrenn, G, 5-6, Sr.; Chrissy Copper, G, 5-2, Sr.; Aisha Saunders, G, 5-2, Sr.
Top newcomers: Sherress Hicks, C-F, 5-7, Sr.; Kristina Baker, G-F, 5-6, So.; Shenille Davis, G, 5-6, Jr.
Outlook: Four returning starters, including second team all-region selection Wrenn, should help the Packers improve. They'll still be undersized and without a strong bench. Smithfield will need solid play from their newcomers in order to better last year's disspointing district record. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Angela Jones
Plays forward and center for Lakeland
Jannine Porter
Plays guard and forward for Nansemond River
by CNB