THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 30, 1996 TAG: 9605290208
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 73 lines
IT TOOK A while for Nick James to find a home in the Tidewater Conference. But once he did, the Greenbrier Christian left-hander turned it into his castle.
James, who lives in Western Branch and played his first two varsity seasons at Nansemond-Suffolk and Norfolk Collegiate, went 8-1 with a 0.40 ERA in leading the Gators to a sweep of the regular-season and tournament championships this spring.
That dominating performance made him the top vote-getter on the All-TCIS team and earned him a scholarship to James Madison University.
James' only loss was to Hampton Christian, ranked No. 1 in the Virginia Independent Schools Division I poll. James allowed only two hits, struck out 16 and picked off three base runners that day, but he lost on a pair of unearned runs.
James credits Greenbrier coach Gary Lavelle, a former major league lefthander, along with the nurturing atmosphere at Greenbrier for his athletic and academic success.
He's compiled a 3.9 grade point average in his two years at Greenbrier and scored 1,140 on the SAT.
``I came to Greenbrier because the baseball opportunities were good, and I've always wanted to play college ball,'' James said.
``Coach Lavelle is the best pitching coach in the state and has made me a lot smarter.''
``Last year I just threw the ball by people. This year I've learned to change speeds.''
James is joined on the all-conference team by teammates Nick Huneycutt, a pitcher/shortstop, and Ross Robertson, a second baseman.
Huneycutt was 7-0 with a 0.51 ERA and batted .333. Robertson led the Gators in batting at .421 and committed only one error.
Nansemond-Suffolk, which finished second in the regular-season and the tournament, is represented by pitcher Mike Johnston and catcher David Putnam.
Johnston was 5-1 with a 1.83 ERA. Putnam, a Western Branch resident, batted
Norfolk Academy also placed two players on the first team. Tommy Van Hoose, a pitcher/outfielder, was 5-2 with a 1.66 ERA and batted .511 with a slugging percentage of 1.000. Chip Cutchins, an outfielder, batted .463 with 19 RBI.
Completing the first team are Catholic's Jeff Alberts, Norfolk Collegiate's Nick Jacovides and Cape Henry's Andy Tilhou.
Alberts, a shortstop, batted .425 and led the Crusaders in hits, runs, doubles and RBIs. Jacovides, a third baseman/pitcher/catcher, batted .423 with two home runs and 10 RBI. Tilhou, a pitcher/first baseman, was 5-2 with a 1.60 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 45 innings. He batted .350.
All-TCIS baseball
First team
Nick James, Greenbrier Christian; Mike Johnston, Nansemond-Suffolk; Nick Huneycutt, Greenbrier Christian; David Putnam, Nansemond-Suffolk; Tommy Van Hoose, Norfolk Academy, Jeff Alberts, Catholic; Nick Jacovides, Norfolk Collegiate; Andy Tilhou, Cape Henry; Chip Cutchins, Norfolk Academy; Ross Robertson, Greenbrier Christian.
Second team
Teddy Rice, Norfolk Academy; Eric Washburn, Catholic; Mike Vizcaino, Nansemond-Suffolk; Jason Cutrell, Norfolk Collegiate; Ski Babinski, Cape Henry; Brian McNabb, Norfolk Christian; Mike Cathcart, Walsingham; Ryan Dorenbush, Peninsula Catholic; J.B. Stovall, Norfolk Christian; Jon Lantrip, Greenbrier Christian; Mike Minkoff, Peninsula Catholic; Joby Webb, Nansemond-Suffolk. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Nick James, pitcher
Greenbrier Christian
David Putnam, catcher
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy
Mike Johnston, pitcher
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy by CNB