THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 30, 1995 TAG: 9511300534
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: High School Girls Basketball Preview
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 127 lines
Great Bridge has the talent and depth to take the Southeastern District girls basketball title this year.
However, the Wildcats must stay consistent to avoid being outmanned by defending regular-season champion Churchland and tournament winner Oscar Smith.
The Wildcats fell short last year, but return four seniors and two juniors. Lashelle Griffin tops the list after averaging 13 points per game. She is joined by Kalisha Brown (7.6 points per game), Jill Ferguson (6.0) and Courtney Simons (7.0).
Churchland is paced by senior guard Nicole Council, who posted 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists per game. Oscar Smith has a small but powerful squad that was helped by a successful summer league season.
GREAT BRIDGE
Coach: Ro Moore (4th year, 34-33)
Last season: 18-7, 11-3 district.
Impact players: Lashelle Griffin, 5-7, senior guard/forward; Kalisha Brown, 5-8, senior guard; Jill Ferguson, 5-9, senior forward; Dana Crisostomo, 5-3, senior guard; Courtney Simons, 5-6, junior guard.
Newcomers to watch: Kelly Piler, 5-10, junior forward; Heather Mushrush, 5-11, junior forward; Lindsay Kennedy, 5-10, sophomore center; Meghan Salo, 5-5, sophomore guard; Anita Pettiford, 5-7, sophomore guard.
Outlook: Great Bridge has eight returning players, including starters Griffin, Brown and Ferguson. Moore said the asset of five newcomers adds depth and versatility.
CHURCHLAND
Coach: Duke Conrad (75-40 in five years)
Last season: 20-6, 14-2 district.
Impact players: Nicole Council, 5-7, senior guard; Kim Elliott, 5-8, junior forward; Courtney Hundley, 5-6, senior guard; Johanna Carroll, 5-9, senior forward; Stacey Hundley, 5-8, junior forward.
Newcomers to watch: Melissa Betts, 5-9, freshman forward; Ruthie Evans, 5-5, senior guard; Jennifer Bright, 5-8, freshman forward.
Outlook: Conrad foresees Council and Elliott pacing the offensive attack, with strong contributions from Singleton, Stacey Hundley and Felton. Graduation claimed Kizzy Butler, the Truckers' most dangersous offensive and defensive weapon, and Courtney Hundley must fill her shoes in order for Churchland to challenge.
OSCAR SMITH
Coach: Patty Walsh (15 years)
Last season: 17-10, 6-8 district.
Impact players: Krystal Johnson, 4-10, senior guard; Starr Parker, 5-3, senior guard; Tushima Tatem, 6-0, senior center; Sharnnia Artis, 5-7, sophomore forward/guard.
Newcomers to watch: Brooke Coley, 5-10, sophomore guard/forward; Lashawna Powell, 5-11, sophomore center; Sherita Spencer, 5-9, junior forward; Duriyah Holloman, 5-6, sophomore forward.
Outlook: The Tigers have speed and aggressiveness. Powell and Coley are expected to develop quickly and combine with Johnson's increased speed and Starr Parker's polished 3-pointer for a title run.
WESTERN BRANCH
Coach: Kim Aston (first year)
Last season: 9-13, 5-9 district.
Impact players: Brandy Woodard, 5-11, senior guard; Ciaro Lascano, 5-11, senior forward; Jaci Morris, 5-7, senior forward; Tia Snall, 5-7, sophomore, guard; Millette Grecu, 5-10, sophomore guard; Katie MacPhail, 6-0, senior forward.
Newcomers to watch: Lindsay Forehand, 5-7, sophomore, point guard; Cathy Arnette, 5-8, junior guard; Tiffany Sykes, 5-11, junior forward.
Outlook: Aston has five experienced seniors with only one key loss. Forehand is expected to fill the shoes of point guard Sarah Wolf. The Bruins are deep in the post with Lascano, MacPhail and Morris.
INDIAN RIVER
Coach: Gavin Harris (26-32 in four years)
Last year: 14-6, 11-3 district.
Impact players: Quiana White, 5-11, senior center; Latisha Grevious, 5-10, senior center; Kanisha Hodges, 5-8, senior forward; Anitra Johnson, 5-8, senior guard; Suanika Freeman, 5-7, senior guard.
Newcomers to watch: Sharelle Speller, 5-1, sophomore guard; Tenelle Freeman, sophomore forward.
Outlook: The Braves are expected to continually improve throughout the year. Due to damage to Indian River's gym, the team is dealing with the distraction of practicing away from home. The Braves are concentrating on free throw shooting and defense.
DEEP CREEK
Coach: Otis Etheridge (75-20 in four years)
Last season: 17-5, 12-4 district.
Impact players: Anecia Braithwaite, 5-7, junior center; Sherri Butler, 5-6, sophomore guard; Stacie Watson, 5-11, junior forward; Pam Jones, 5-11, junior forward; Teneka Boone, 5-10, senior guard; Carrie Ford, 5-6, senior guard.
Newcomers to watch: Crystal Cooper, 5-9, junior center; Alidia Ross, 5-6, senior guard; Tameka Casey, 5-6, junior guard; Sequoia Selby, 5-7, junior guard.
Outlook: The Hornets lost a lot of offense with the graduation of Michelle Boyd and Tamara Sivels. But Etheridge plans to use Braithwaite and Butler's speed to create scoring threats. Watson and Jones are strong rebounders, Selby is a tough defender and Ford and Casey are 3-point threats.
NORCOM
Coach: Danny Hill (8-25 in three years)
Last season: 2-15, 1-13 district.
Impact players: Felisha Brown, 6-0, senior center; Brandi Smith, 6-0, senior center; Danyel Bennett, 5-6, senior forward; Tajuana Folston, 5-2, senior guard; Kim Epps, 5-2, senior guard; Vivian Shockley, 5-7, senior guard.
Newcomers to watch: Toni Shannon, 5-11, sophomore, forward; Elizabeth Horne, 5-2, freshman guard; Leah Godwin, 5-7, sophomore forward.
Outlook: The Greyhounds are working on consistency in an effort to become more competitive in the district.
WILSON
Coach: Jenson Baker (3rd year at Wilson)
Last year: 2-18, 2-12 district.
Impact players: Regina Cowan, senior; Amanda Johnson, junior; Jewel Gatling, junior.
Newcomers to watch: Shawie Clagon, senior; Danyelle Smith, sophomore; Candace Baker, freshman; Carrie Holley, junior.
Outlook: The Presidents lost team leaders Latoya Owens, Antonette DeBrough and Lavonya Blow. Johnson must take the lead role with contributions from Cowan and Holley. ILLUSTRATION: VIRGINIAN-PILOT FILE photo
Great Bridge senior guard Lashelle Griffin, right, leads a returning
group that will try to take the regular-season and tournament titles
won a year ago by Churchland and Oscar Smith.
by CNB