THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 21, 1996 TAG: 9603210526
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Staff and wire reports
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
Antoine Willie scored fewer points than he did last year, and his team didn't repeat as state champion, but the Nansemond River junior still was the cream of the Group AA crop this season in Virginia.
Willie, who averaged 28 points last season, managed 25 per game for the Warriors this year in repeating as the Associated Press player of the year.
Montoria Valentine of Nansemond River joined Willie on the Group AA first team for the second straight year. Michael Crawford, a junior, of James Wood; Chris Childress of William Byrd; and Hunter Hoggatt of Staunton River also made the first team.
The 6-foot-1 Willie reached the 30-point mark eight times, including a high of 38, and helped lead Nansemond River to the state semifinals, where it lost 59-58 to eventual champion Liberty-Bedford. During the regular season, the Warriors' only two losses came against Group AAA teams.
``Antoine's game has totally changed since last year,'' Nansemond River coach Spencer Mayfield said. ``Last year it was just offense, offense, offense. He's trying to improve in all parts of the game. He's a much better defensive player. And his ballhandling and rebounding have improved.''
Willie was the second area player to be named a state player of the year. Earlier in the week, Jason Capel of Indian River, a sophomore, won the Group AAA award.
Valentine, a 6-3 senior, averaged 18 points and 17 rebounds for the Warriors. His season high as 33 points, but he managed only 10 points and five rebounds while saddled with foul trouble in the loss to Liberty.
Bill Hale, who coached Fort Defiance to a 17-3 regular season mark, is the Group AA coach of the year. Fort Defiance reached the state finals before losing to eventual runner-up Lakeland.
The second team has J.J. Coles of Liberty; Damian Woolfolk of Caroline; Dennis Brown of Altavista; Rashad Wall of Laurel Park; and Josh Shoemaker of Gate City and Gary Jones of Caroline, who tied for the last spot. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos
Antoine Willie, a 6-foot-1 junior, averaged 25 points for state
semifinalist
Nansemond River.
Montoria Valentine of Nansemond River was named to the all-state
first team for the second straight year.
by CNB