THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 1, 1995 TAG: 9512010387
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: High School Boys Basketball Preview
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 125 lines
The Beach District boasts more balance than an Olympic gymnast.
So how do you pick a favorite? Go with the team that has the best guards.
That would be Tallwood and its backcourt combo of Rian Everett, a four-year starter, and Phillip Clay.
Kempsville, led by 6-10 junior Brian Bersticker, is a lock for most improved team and could be a factor come region playoff time.
Green Run still has Plaxico Burress and Will Brooks; yes, they are finally seniors. Cox has eight players at least 6-4 and a guard, Carl Lentz, who can get them the ball.
BAYSIDE Coach: Ron Jenkins
Last season: 21-3 overall, 17-1 district (first)
Impact players: Kevin Yearwood, 6-4 junior forward; Mike Kitrel, 5-11 senior guard.
Newcomers to watch: Larry Enis, 6-2 senior guard; Willie DeAngelo, 5-11 senior guard.
Outlook: This is a major rebuilding year yet six of the top eight players are seniors. The Marlins lost six of their top seven scorers to graduation and the one who is back, Yearwood, sat out the second semester. There is no dominant post player and the Marlins will have to use speed to create scoring opportunities.
COX Coach: Kenny Edwards
Last season: 16-7 overall, 13-5 district (third)
Impact players: Ben Green, 6-6 senior forward; Carl Lentz, 6-foot junior guard.
Newcomers to watch: Ian Caskill, 6-8 freshman center; Latane Meade, 6-5 junior forward.
Outlook: The Falcons caught fire when Lentz was installed at the point after six games last season. He is a creative playmaker with scoring skills. Green is a Division I prospect who can shoot the 3-pointer. The Falcons need someone to step up and replace the departed Matt Whalen's rebounding and inside defense to win it all.
TALLWOOD Coach: Johnny Pope
Last season: 17-7 overall, 15-3 district (second)
Impact players: Rian Everett, 6-foot senior guard; Phil Clay, 6-1 senior guard; Neil Roberts, 6-5 senior forward.
Newcomers to watch: Zech Boyd, 6-5 sophomore center; Josh Strouse, 6-4 senior guard.
Outlook: Everett and Clay might be the best backcourt in South Hampton Roads and Roberts is capable of dominating inside. Mac Hall, a 6-6 senior, complements Roberts inside. To beat the Lions teams will have to beat their withering defensive pressure.
GREEN RUN Coach: Mark Butts
Last season: 15-8 overall, 12-6 district (fourth)
Impact players: Plaxico Burress, 6-6 senior forward; Will Brooks, 6-5 senior forward.
Newcomers to watch: Andre Jackson, 6-0 freshman guard; Ben Root, 6-2 sophomore forward.
Outlook: Burress averaged 14.7 points and is capable of dominating at both ends inside. Brooks, a slasher, averaged 20 points over the last six games and 13.9 overall last year. Bobby Glos, a 6-3 shooter, and Rod Cooper, a 5-9 point guard, are three-year veterans.
SALEM Coach: Bill Cochrane
Last season: 11-9 overall, 10-8 district (fifth)
Impact players: Javon Stafford, 6-2 senior; Richard Holland, 6-0 senior senior.
Newcomers to watch: LaMarr Garzionale, 6-0 senior guard; Carlton Horton, 6-2 junior forward.
Outlook: Cochrane hasn't had a losing season since 1979-80, but that streak is in jeopardy. Only four players, all reserves, return and there is little size.
KEMPSVILLE Coach: Vernon King
Last season: 9-13 overall, 8-10 district (sixth)
Impact players: Brian Bersticker, 6-10 junior center; Tom Detloff, 6-5 senior forward.
Newcomers to watch: Bernard Staples, 6-2 junior forward; Robert Taylor, 6-1 junior guard.
Outlook: There is plenty of size led by Bersticker, who already is drawing nationwide recruiting interest. Detloff is a dangerous slasher and Sherriff is experienced at the point. How well the Chiefs handle quick, pressing backcourts will determine if they contend.
KELLAM Coach: Ricky Hailey
Last season: 6-15 overall, 6-12 district (seventh)
Impact players: Ben Matthews, 6-6 senior forward; Jeremy Kent, 6-6 senior center.
Newcomers to watch: Kenny Knightnor, 6-2 sophomore guard; Francisco Palacios, 6-3 senior forward.
Outlook: Hailey is hoping for a breakthrough in his third season. Matthews, 11.4 points per game, and Kent can match up with most teams inside. Guards Tariq Joseph and Kendrick Jacobs, both 5-8, are quick but scored only 39 points between them last season.
OCEAN LAKES Coach: Mike Head
Last season: 7-15 overall, 5-13 district (eighth)
Impact players: Toby Johnson, 6-0 senior guard; Ernest Harrell, 6-4 senior center; Jack Wheeler, 6-4 senior center.
Newcomers to watch: Derrell Stephens, 5-6 sophomore guard; Torrell Cherry, 6-1 junior forward.
Outlook: Fifteen players return from last season's inaugural adventure. Harrell averaged 12.8 points and Johnson 12.4 points per game. Harrell and Wheeler are the tallest players on the squad. Head hopes to play a faster tempo with more man-to-man defense and full-court pressure.
PRINCESS ANNE
Coach: Gary Cason
Last season: 4-17 overall, 4-14 district (ninth)
Impact players: Mike Wilson, 6-1 senior guard; Tracey Corprew, 6-3 junior forward.
Newcomers to watch: Eric Woodhouse, 5-10 junior guard; Ryan Nicodemus, 6-2 junior forward.
Outlook: Cason brings a winning attitude from Bayside, where he was a varsity assistant and head JV coach for nine years. He hopes to play a faster tempo than the Cavaliers have recently, but lacks both depth and a big rebounder to start the break. Corprew averaged 11.9 points last season.
FIRST COLONIAL Coach: Chris Lowery
Last season: 0-20 overall, 0-18 district (10th)
Impact players: Anthony Coles, 5-11, senior guard; Bill Kennedy, 6-4, senior center.
Newcomers to watch: Ricky Butts 6-0 sophomore guard; Eugene Benjamin, 6-4 junior forward.
Outlook: The Patriots have adequate size, but lack quickness and proven scoring ability. Coles is the top returning scorer at 7.8 per game. Sophomore Josh Withers reached double figures three times after being called up at midseason and has the potential to shoulder much of the scoring load. by CNB