THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 23, 1996 TAG: 9606260631
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: COVER STORY
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: 166 lines
WHEN LAKELAND's Phoenix Long picked up a blocked field goal attempt and raced 51 yards down the sideline for a fourth quarter touchdown that gave the Cavaliers a 21-14 victory over Nansemond River last September, it marked the first time in seven games that a Lakeland football team defeated the Warriors.
The thriller also kick-started one of the area's most memorable high school years.
Some day, local athletes will be wowing their grandchildren with tales about:
The Nansemond River football team making it to a state quarterfinal after losing twice to Lakeland during the regular season.
Lakeland and Nansemond River appearing in the Group AA state final four in boys basketball.
The Warriors making state championship appearances in field hockey and baseball.
Four Nansemond-Suffolk Academy seniors receiving athletic scholarships to college.
Most local athletic directors said the 1995-96 school year was the best in recent memory for high school sports. And there's plenty of evidence to support their claims.
IN GROUP AA
Lakeland enjoyed its most successful year since the school opened in 1990, according to athletic director and football coach Edward Smither. ``Overall as a total athletic program, this was by far the best year we've ever had,'' he said. ``We don't have a lot of banners, but when you look at the accomplishments, most every team here was a winner.''
The Cavaliers, who will move with Nansemond River to Group AAA and the Southeastern District next year, recorded their winningest seasons in football, soccer and baseball, said Smither.
But Smither's fondest memory is of his football team knocking off crosstown rival Nansemond River twice in one season.
``I was disappointed we lost to them in the Region I championship game,'' said Smither. ``But Nansemond River beat us seven straight. To beat them twice had to be a highlight for us.''
The Lakeland squad that advanced the farthest was the boys basketball team, which made it to the state championship game before losing to Liberty. Lakeland and Nansemond River became the first teams from the same city to appear in a Group AA boys basketball final four.
``In my four years it was our worst record, but the farthest we ever got,'' said senior center John Ricks, whose team had played in the shadow of two-time state champion Nansemond River. ``Nobody expected us to go anywhere, so that encouraged us. Now I can look back and say, `I was there, that was my senior year when we did that.' ''
Other bright spots for the Cavaliers: track star Melvin Faulk winning the school's first track state championship by taking the 200-meter run; football player/wrestler James Temple earning the Virginia High School League Male Athlete of the Year award; and football player Reginald Wiggins becoming the school's all-time rushing leader.
Nansemond River flourished in its final season in Group AA, making several state tournament appearances. The Warriors football team made it to the state semifinal, where it fell to Sherando; the volleyball team advanced to a state quarterfinal; the field hockey team finished second in the state invitational tournament; the boys basketball team was a state semifinalist; and the baseball team won 21 games and finished second in the state.
The Warriors also finished fifth in the race for the Central Fidelity Cup, which is given to the top overall athletic program in Virginia. Nansemond River won the award last year.
``(The Cup) is a great measuring stick of our overall athletic program in relation to the rest of the state,'' said Nansemond River athletic director and baseball coach Phil Braswell. ``We had another very good year.''
Several Warriors - Kari Harrell, Michael Merrell and J.C. Caperton - went into the record books.
Harrell broke the Bay Rivers District record for most career goals in field hockey with 72 and set a school single-season mark with 19.
``I set my goal to do it and did it before I graduated,'' said Harrell, who plans to try out for the field hockey team at Division II power Longwood. ``It meant a lot because the girls supported me 100 percent and knew it wasn't the reason I was out there playing.''
Merrell broke the Warriors record for most career victories in wrestling (65), while Caperton became the school's all-time leader in career hits (88) and stolen bases (57).
The Warriors' 4x100 relay team of Keith Mayfield, Temetrius Robinson, Clarence Skinner and Vernon Woodson capped its season with a state title.
Franklin's year was highlighted by the performance of the volleyball team and standout Jennifer West. After finishing sixth in the Bay Rivers with a 6-8 record, the Broncos won two district tournament games and advanced to the Region I tournament.
Smithfield made most of its news off the field. Next year will be one of new looks for the Packers. Joe Jones, who spent two years as football and track coach at Franklin, will become the athletic director and football coach, while Steve Edwards will lead the boys basketball team and John Bangley takes over in baseball.
Southampton's football team rolled through the regular season undefeated before losing in the Region I, Division 3 final. The boys basketball team then made its first Region I tournament appearance since the 1990-91 season.
IN GROUP A
At Windsor, athletic director Tex Murray, who has been on the job for 30 years, said he couldn't remember a better year for the Dukes. Windsor's football and basketball teams made state tournament appearances, while the baseball team advanced to the regional tourney.
``We had real good athletes this year,'' said senior football and basketball player Wayne Briggs. ``We had goals we wanted to accomplish and that's what we did.''
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy's year was highlighted by four students receiving athletic scholarships to college. Softball player Sarah Putnam signed with Maryland; soccer player Gabe Valencia is headed to William and Mary; softball player Lea Wilson signed with UNC-Wilmington; and baseball player Mike Johnston agreed to play at Presbyterian College.
``That's a pretty good year for a small school,'' N-SA athletic director Randy Davis said of the scholarships. ``Overall, it was a real good year with some pretty good highlights.''
The Saints grabbed Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools regular-season and tournament titles in softball and a regular-season crown in girls basketball. They also made state tournament appearances in softball, boys basketball and baseball. The boys soccer team had a breakthrough season, finishing second in the TCIS tournament while tennis players Davey Slack and Lee Cross won TCIS titles. The golf and boys lacrosse teams also finished second in TCIS tournament play.
Southampton Academy was led by a group of senior girls. Wendy Worrell, Jessica Partridge, Anna Story and twins Jessica and Jennifer Pope spurred the Raiders to Virginia Commonwealth Conference championships in basketball, volleyball and softball.
The Southampton Academy eight-man football team went 9-2, falling in the Colonial Carolina Conference championship.
Isle of Wight Academy's year was highlighted by the football team's appearance in the Division I state tournament, where the Chargers lost to Quantico. And the Chargers boys basketball and girls softball teams spent most of the year in the state top 10. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
ON THE COVER
Nansemond River teammates discuss game strategy during the state
championship baseball game recently against Virginia High in
Bristol, Va. Staff photo by Michael Kestner.
Staff file photos by MICHAEL KESTNER
Lakeland's Kelly Lewis loses a tip on the net in a match with rival
Nansemond River.
Nansemond River quarterback Johnta Knight, right, attempts to push
away a Lakeland defender.
Windsor guard Jerome Ricks brings the ball down the court in a game
against New Kent.
Staff file photos by CHRISTOPHER REDDICK
Nansemond River teammates attack defensively during the Group AA
state semifinal games.
Lakeland's James Pruden, left,goes for a layup against Liberty High
during the state semifinals.
File photo by L. TODD SPENCER
Lea Wilson, above, shows off Nansemond-Suffolk Academy's TCIS
softball plaque. by CNB