THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 13, 1995 TAG: 9509120089
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 112 lines
Like last season, the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools girls basketball race should come down to a photo finish between Norfolk Academy, last year's regular-season champion, and Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, which won the tournament title 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 eight returning seniors.
Nansemond-Suffolk is just as tough with Ann Murden and Jill VanGuilder in the paint. But the Saints' strength is in defending their own hoop.
``Defense,'' coach Larry Riggs 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 and would be a dark horse to finish in the top two.
``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 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 ppg and was last year's player of the year and All-Tidewater pick. The Bulldogs are also deep, with additions from a JV team that won the TCIS last season.
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 8-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 J.V. 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.; Veronica At.
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.
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, 8th-grader.
Outlook: The Gators have two top notch post players in Havens and Sherwood, but are young everywhere else. Mazur will have to learn the point quickly in order for Greenbrier to be competitive.
CAPE HENRY
Coach: Kim Aston.
Top returners: Katie Redmon, F, Fr.; Dana Fowler, G, Jr.; Katie Hervorka, F, So.; Emily Medley, G, So.; Stacy Crain, F, So.
Top newcomers: Summer Foster, G, So.; Tova Cohn, G, Sr.
Outlook: Redmon, a 6-0 forward and the Dolphins' top returner, blew out her knee and is expected to be out for the first four weeks after surgery. The Dolphins will have to rely on Foster, a transfer from Catholic, to make things work. Expect the Dolphins to come around near tournament time. by CNB