THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 26, 1996 TAG: 9601260655
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
If you're looking for a dark horse to make a postseason run, try Kempsville.
It's too late for the Chiefs (5-9, 4-5) to contend for the Beach District regular-season championship.
But the return of 6-10 Brian Bersticker tonight and Rayshawn Mitchell and Jared Skelton next Tuesday should make the Chiefs a formidable opponent come tournament time.
Bersticker, who missed 13 games with a broken bone in his right hand, will come off the bench tonight against Kellam and then quickly work his way back into the starting lineup.
Mitchell and Skelton have been academically ineligible and are expected to join the team when the second semester starts Tuesday.
Mitchell, a 6-1 shooting guard, averaged 10.8 points in 13 games last season. The 6-3 Skelton can play three positions and will add depth.
``Now it's just a matter of piecing everybody together,'' Kempsville coach Vernon King said. ``Our goal is to get to the district tournament and make a push.''
Granby and Booker T. Washington also could get some second-semester help.
The Comets should have 6-7 Clifton Townes back for Tuesday night's game against Norview. Townes averaged 6.5 points for last year's team, which went 20-3 and won the Eastern District regular-season and tournament titles. But his true value is rebounding and inside defense, areas in which the Comets need help.
Booker T. Washington hopes to get back 6-3 David Gallop, who averaged 6.3 points per game. He's been working out with the team recently, but coach Jarrell Wilkerson was noncommittal on his status.
SPOTLIGHT ON: Cox's Ben Green. The 6-6 senior is averaging 16 points, five rebounds and five assists for the 10-3 Falcons.
``Ben is without question the best leader I've ever coached,'' Cox coach Kenny Edwards said. ``He shows no fear.''
Green's defensive ability and 3-point shooting skill allow him to play any position. That was never more evident than in the Falcons' 66-64 overtime victory at Ocean Lakes, when he took over the point after Carl Lentz fouled out and then took over the game.
Green scored eight of the Falcons' last 10 points, including two free throws with 4.9 seconds left.
He scored only four points in his next game, but led the team in rebounds, assists and steals.
``Ben doesn't have to score to be the best player on the floor,'' Edwards said.
Green has had home visits from Army and Navy, but has made no decision on a college.
RIM SHOTS: Norfolk Collegiate coach Richard Hoffman resigned this week for ``personal reasons'' and was replaced by athletic director Larry Swearingen. This is the second consecutive year that Swearingen has had to step in during the season. Last season he replaced Larry Schwab after four games. The Oaks are 5-11 and 0-3 in the TCIS. . . . Indian River finally plays its home opener tonight, and the timing couldn't be more ripe. The opponent is Oscar Smith, which leads the Southeastern District at 7-0 and stunned the Braves in early December before the football players joined the squad. . . . Cox has lost 6-5 center Jason Donahoe for four weeks with a broken left wrist. Donahoe, who is averaging 8.5 points, was hurt against Kempsville when he went in for a layup, was fouled and hit the floor. Jason Dubois will replace Donahoe in the starting lineup with 6-8 freshman Ian Caskill getting more time off the bench. York has been canceled. Redemption has seven foreign players who left the country on break and are having trouble gaining readmittance, Atlantic Shores coach Mark Phelps said. by CNB