THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 1, 1995 TAG: 9512010385
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: High School Boys Basketball Preview
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
Lake Taylor enjoyed the luxury of sneaking up on teams last season when it beat Booker T. Washington, Maury, Green Run and Tallwood en route to a 13-7 record and final ranking of No. 7 in South Hampton Roads.
Now the Titans are expected to win.
And why not?
They have great quickness at every position and an emerging star in junior guard Toot Young.
The biggest change in the district occurred in the coaching ranks, where Jarrell Wilkerson replaced Barry Hamler at Booker T. Washington. Also, Lonnie Blow takes over for Jim Harvey at Granby.
The district lacks a dominating big man, but is loaded with quality guards.
LAKE TAYLOR Coach: John Kelly
Last season: 13-7 overall, 3-5 district (fourth)
Impact players: Toot Young, 6-2 junior guard; Brian Kelley, 6-3 senior forward.
Newcomers to watch: Alvin Brown, 6-4 junior forward; Shamon Burnham, 5-10 junior guard.
Outlook: Young was a second-team all-district pick and averaged 12.5 points and four assists per game. Kelley was the district newcomer of the year and averaged 7.7 points and 5 rebounds per game. Darnell Whitaker, a 6-3 senior, Toni Harrell, 6-5 junior, and Deshawn Hendricks, a 6-2 junior, each scored in double figures at times. The Titans will try to force a quick tempo with pressure defense.
MAURY Last season: 18-7 overall, 5-3 district (tie second)
Impact players: Ike Richardson, 6-1 senior guard; Tommy Spruill, 5-10 senior guard.
Newcomers to watch: Ricardo Trevisan, 6-9 senior center; Tim Sweeney, 6-1 sophomore guard.
Outlook: Richarson is a three-year starter at the point and Spruill provides long-distance shooting at the off guard. Trevisan, a transfer from Granby, brings much needed size and inside offensive skills to the mix. Rebounding could be a weakness, but Baker has done more with less. Look for the Commodores to be near 20 wins.
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON
Coach: Jarrell Wilkerson
Last season: 14-7 overall, 5-3 district (tie second)
Impact players: Dewayne Jacobs, 6-4 senior forward; Detron Short, 6-1 junior guard.
Newcomers to watch: Chester Jones, 6-3 senior forward; Jerry Gray, 6-5 sophomore forward.
Outlook: Wilkerson, the 1992-93 coach of the year when he was at Lake Taylor, brings a steadying influence to the bench. Jacobs, a first-team all-district pick, averaged 16 points per game last season. George Wilson, 6-6, David Gallop, 6-4, and Kevin Fuller, 6-0, are good complementary players with experience. The key is Short, who missed all of last season after knee surgery.
GRANBY Coach: Lonnie Blow
Last season: 20-3 overall, 6-2 district (first)
Impact players: Tiran Matthews, 6-3 senior forward; Anthony King, 5-9 senior guard.
Newcomers to watch: Michael Mitchell, 6-4 junior forward; Corey Franklin, 6-3 sophomore forward.
Outlook: Blow, a new coach, must replace all five starters. He'll build the offense around Matthews, who averaged 9.5 points per game. Blow calls Matthews a better all-around player than Shawn Hobson, last year's district player of the year. The defensive ringleader will be King, who is canny and quick.
NORVIEW Coach: Darnell Miller
Last season: 6-14 overall, 1-7 district (fifth)
Impact players: Andruy Jones, 6-3 senior forward; Jarric Mills, 5-11 junior guard.
Newcomers to watch: David Martin, 6-5 junior forward; Armac Mays, 6-2 sophomore guard.
Outlook: Miller used 19 players last season, but the Pilots still lack a proven scorer and inside threat. Jones, who will play anywhere except center, finished strong last year with three straight games in double figures and is the team's best player.
The Pilots need Martin to develop in the post if they are to improve on last year's finish. by CNB