THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 26, 1996 TAG: 9601260668
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH AND REA FARMER, STAFF WRITERS
LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
Salem point guard Misty Colebank has finally settled into her role. The James Madison University signee and 1995 Tidewater Player of the Year no longer has the pressure of carrying the Sun Devils offensively, as Kelley King, Michelle Garcia and Jenny Harmon are averaging in double figures.
Instead Colebank is content to pass the ball . . . and to take it back. Colebank has 44 steals and 38 deflections. She also has taken eight charges and grabbed 77 rebounds.
Colebank and Bayside's Carolyn Zanelli are on track to become the next 1,000-point-club members. Zanelli has 949 points with an 11 point per game average. Colebank has 939 with an 11.3 average. Both could hit the big mark Feb. 9 when Salem plays Bayide.
DOUBLE LOSS: First Colonial's Alija Pittenger may be lost for the season pending the results of a MRI exam. Pittenger hurt her knee in Friday's loss to Tallwood. She had the MRI on Tuesday and is awaiting the results.
Pittenger is not only a key element in the Patriots' defensive game, but also is in the opening stages of Junior Olympic volleyball season. Pittenger, an all-Beach District volleyball player, is a solid attacker with perhaps the most powerful hitting game in the area.
THE BALL STOPS HERE: Princess Anne's scrappy defense has stymied opponents all season. The Cavaliers have blocked 72 shots, including 28 by 5-foot-9 Suwanna Taylor and 23 by 5-11 Dominica Moody.
Princess Anne also is shooting 76 percent from the free-throw line, one of the highest marks in the area.
UP-AND-COMING: At Oscar Smith, freshmen and sophomores are more than practice fodder for the starters.
Instead, the younger Tigers are developing fast and becoming important contributors. Leading the attack is freshman Joetta Thorpe, who scored 37 points over a key three-game Southeastern District stretch before being shut out by Norcom.
``At first I was nervous, being the only freshman,'' Thorpe said. ``But now I'm coming on.''
Sophomore Duriyah Holloman has joined Thorpe as a defensive threat, and sophomores Katie Kraemer, Brooke Coley and Sherita Spencer have each seen increased playing time.
``My young players are really stepping up,'' coach Patty Walsh said. ``They are playing like seniors.''
HOMELESS NO MORE: After months of practicing at a middle school and playing in opponents' gyms, Indian River finally has a home. The Braves debut in their new gym tonight, hosting Oscar Smith at 6. by CNB