THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 4, 1996 TAG: 9602040208
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C9 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KEVIN DOEPP, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
When Virginia Wesleyan's Amy Beisch looks back at her collegiate basketball career one date will stand out in her mind. At the time, it didn't.
Last Saturday, the former Kempsville High standout and her team visited Emory and Henry.
Beisch, the team's point guard, needed just six points to reach the 1,000-point plateau.
However, she had no idea that she had hit the milestone until the next game at home against Christopher Newport.
``Andy (Sachs, sports information director) kept it a secret,'' Beisch said. ``They presented me with a (commemorative) ball in the game against CNU. Going into that game I still had no idea.
``Coming into the season getting my 1,000th point was a goal of mine, but I would give up everything for us to play better and win as a team.''
Along the way, Beisch had to deal with various changes. The biggest was a coaching change.
After her sophomore season, Tom Palombo left for a coaching job at Defiance College in Ohio.
New coach Valerie Kepner arrived and Beisch talked about the transition from coach to coach.
``It was a learning experience for us learning a new system under a new coach,'' she said. ``She had different ways of doing things. I think it was a learning experience for her as well because it was her first head coaching job.''
One plus that Beisch has had at Virginia Wesleyan is playing with her twin sister, Andrea. They have been playing basketball together for over 12 years. Amy finds that comforting.
``If I shoot an air ball or turn the ball over I know that she will be there for me,'' she said. ``She would say something like you'll get the next one. That picks me up more than anything.''
In her senior season, Amy just wants to lay it all on the line. She is averaging 12.5 points per game and is shooting 30 percent from behind the 3-point arc.
Winning the Old Dominion Athletic Conference tournament at the end of the month and going to the NCAA Division III tournament is her main focus.
After a 68-62 loss to Bridgewater Saturday night, the Lady Marlins are 8-7, ranked 10th in the South region, and 7-6 in the ODAC.
``All of that is in our reach,'' Beisch said. ``We have beaten everyone but Randolph-Macon. Anything can happen in the tournament.''
SPARTANS REPORT: Wrestler Corey Williams (Princess Anne) is 17-0 at 142. He won the 150-pound title at the Old Dominion University tournament. He is off to the best start in Norfolk State history since All-American Kirwyn Adderly had an unbeaten season. The Spartans are 4-10-1 in dual meets. Individual results so far are: 118 pounds: Rodney Turner 6-7, Jamaal Jones 2-2, Devin Godsett 5-3, Robert Hayes 0-1. 126: Jamaal Jones 5-6, Rodney Turner 0-2, Devin Godsett 0-1, Robert Hayes 0-1. 134: Adrian Robinson 6-13. 150: Clayton Holmes 14-6. 158: Felton Woodson 13-9. 190: Marcus Johnson 11-8. . . . Several men's track and field athletes turned in fine performances at the USAir Invitational at Johnson City, Tenn. Brian Lewis finished second in the 60-meter final in 6.66 seconds. Joel Mascoll finished fifth in the 200 meters at 21.43. Christopher Duncan finished 21st in the 400 meters at 49.24 and Omari Banner finished 22nd at 49.30. The team finished fifth in the 4x400 relay at 3:09.74. Walter Hicks finished third in the high jump at 7-feet, 1/2-inch.
MARLINS REPORT: Through Saturday's 75-70 win over Guilford, Virginia Wesleyan's men are 12-7 and 9-5 in the ODAC. Percy Slight (Indian River) leads the team in scoring at 13.9 points per game. Guard Gene Pleyo has been a bright spot for the Marlins, averaging 13.6 points, including 24 in a win over Washington and Lee. Three-point specialist Ryan Bradford is averaging 11.9 points per game. Russell DeMont leads the ODAC in blocks with 23. . . . Freshman Leeana Lillefloren (Green Run) leads the women's team in scoring at 13.3 ppg. She is also averaging 7.5 rebounds and is second in the ODAC in field goal percentage at 51.3 percent. Amy Shindle leads the ODAC in assists with 4.4 per game. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
In her senior season, Amy Beisch wants an ODAC tournament win and a
Lady Marlin spot in the NCAAs.
by CNB