THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 3, 1995 TAG: 9512020135
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 33 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
The Windsor, Isle of Wight and Southampton Academy boys basketball teams are each looking to improve upon last year's unimpressive seasons.
Windsor, a member of the Tri-Rivers District, finished .500 in league play, while the Chargers and Raiders finished below the .500 mark in the Virginia Commonwealth Conference.
Each team returns several starters and all three coaches expect major improvements over last year.
Here's a look at each boys team:
WINDSOR
Coach: Steve Edwards
Last season: 9-13 overall, 4-4 Tri-Rivers District
Impact players: Jerome Ricks, 6-0, senior guard; Issac Ricks, 6-4, senior forward; Reggie Nichols, 6-4, senior forward; Cory Liggins, 6-7, senior center; Wayne Briggs, 5-10, senior guard.
Newcomers to watch: none
Outlook: The Ricks brothers give the Dukes a potent inside-outside punch. Jerome, a first team all-district selection two years ago, missed last season due to a knee injury and a lot depends on whether he'll return to form. The five seniors provide some valuable experience, but the bench is thin. The early season might be tough for the Dukes. Four of their starting five are on the Windsor football team, which had a state Group A semifinal playoff game Saturday.
ISLE OF WIGHT ACADEMY
Coach: Benny Vaughan
Last season: 12-12 overall, 6-7 Virginia Commonwealth Conference
Impact players: Richard Spady, 5-10, senior guard; Dwayne Hall, 6-1, senior forward; Frankie Brown, 5-10, senior guard; Charlie Miller, 6-0, senior forward; Ursulus Day, 5-9, senior guard.
Newcomers to watch: Chad Spady, 6-2, junior center; Blake Stephenson, 5-11, junior forward; Justin Harrington, 5-10, sophomore guard; Van Williams, 6-1, sophomore forward.
Outlook: The Chargers are quick with a deep bench, which will have to make up for their lack of size. Richard Spady averaged 14.4 points and five assists per game and was named all-conference, while Hall added nearly eight points and seven rebounds last season.
SOUTHAMPTON ACADEMY
Coach: Dale Marks
Last season: 1-15 overall, 0-14 Virginia Commonwealth Conference
Impact players: David Applewhite, 5-7, senior guard; Bill Keene, 6-3, senior center; Davis Rose, 6-3, senior forward; Michael Beale, 6-1, junior guard-forward.
Newcomers to watch: Donnie Worrell, 5-11, junior guard; Thomas Upson, 6-0, junior forward; Steve Hartson, 5-10, junior center.
Outlook: With only seven players the Raiders will have to avoid foul trouble and focus on ``fundamentals and defensive intensity,'' according to Marks. Southampton Academy's players are experienced, but small and lack a true scorer. Defense will be important - Applewhite had five steals a game last season. ILLUSTRATION: HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Windsor High's Jerome Ricks returns this year after missing last
season due to a knee injury.
by CNB