THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 5, 1996 TAG: 9609010003
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 118 lines
Katie Sherwood. Kendra Robins. Elizabeth Swearingen. Ann Murden.
Individual talent is abundant in the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools this season. Coaches across the league are trying to blend experienced college prospects with incoming talent. The race is to see who can gel first and become a top contender.
Under new coach Kim Aston, Nansemond-Suffolk should be quick and relentless. The Saints are poised to grab the title that was torn from their grasp when Academy's Robins netted a buzzer-beater in the championship game. Murden is at the top of her game and is being recruited by Division I and II programs. She averaged 14 points a game for the team that went 23-2 last season. Murden will be joined in the starting lineup by her sister April and returning guard Allison Dunn.
Don't hand the Saints the title yet, though. A slew of returnees spark Collegiate's run and Academy is, as always, strong.
Norfolk Academy, under new coach Neil Duffy, should be one of the top teams. The Bulldogs also finished 23-2 last season. Powerhouse Robins returns for her senior season looking to build on the success that garnered her a plethora of honors last season. Robins averaged 16.7 points per game, pacing the Bulldogs to a third place regular season showing. Robins and the Bulldogs were tough in the tournament, advancing to the finals then winning in overtime on a layup by Robins at the buzzer.
Collegiate also gets a new coach in Rufus Outland. Outland enters the program with a core of six seniors. Chesapeake-native and All-TCIS player Swearingen, who averaged 10 points a game, is joined by Kellie Jones, Shanna Crockett, Erin McElroy and Ashley Hall.
Sherwood joins incoming coach Michelle Stiles on an up-and-coming Greenbrier squad. Seniors Kelley Holland and Carolyn Sprankle should also contribute.
Here are capsule previews on the South Hampton Roads teams in the TCIs:
CAPE HENRY
Coach: Jan Trombly and Justin Redmon (first year)
Last year's record: 0-22 overall, 0-9 TCIS
Top returnees: Katie Redmon, So., F-C, 6-0; Summer Foster, Jr., G-F, 5-5; Dana Fowler, Sr., G, 5-5; Linda Temuche, Sr., G, 5-2; Stacy Grain, Sr., F, 5-6; Katy Hovorka, Jr., F-C, 5-8; Emily Medley, Jr., F-C, 5-8.
Top newcomers: Amanda Cabrera, Jr., F, 5-8; Stacey Vinson, Jr., F, 5-4.
Coach's outlook: There are eight returnees, but the major question for the team is how will the players adjust to new coaches and the system and how quickly will they come together. Redmon and Foster could be among the top players in the conference.
CATHOLIC
Coach: Leanne Eyler (second year, 5-13)
Last year's record: 5-13, 2-7
Top returnees: Stacey Davis, Sr., G-F, 5-7,; Erin Osborne, Sr., G, C-F, 5-9; Angie Baskette, Sr., C-F, 5-7; Nikki Harris, Sr., C, 5-7; Teresa Jennette, Sr., G, 5-5.
Top newcomers: Debbie DeMarmels, So., G, 5-6; Kim Bullock, Fr., G, 5-5.
Coach's outlook: The Crusaders have a mixture of talent. Eyler is looking for the experienced players to carry them through the beginning of the year.
GREENBRIER CHRISTIAN
Coach: Michelle Stiles (first year)
Last year's record: 11-10, 3-6
Top returnees: Katie Sherwood, Jr., F, 5-11; Kelley Holland, Sr., G, 55; Carolyn Sprankle, Sr., G, 5-5.
Top newcomers: Kim Colvin, So., F, 5-5; Kristi Spencer, Sr., F, 5-7.
Coach's outlook: The Gators view themselves as underdogs, but could surprise a few teams. Stiles views Sherwood as a valid Division I prospect. If the team can adapt quickly to the new players, it could be competitive.
NANSEMOND SUFFOLK
Coach: Kim Aston (First year)
Last year's record: 23-2 overall, 9-1 league
Top returnees: Ann Murden, Sr., G, 5-9; Allison Dunn, Jr., G, 5-7; Kate Young, Sr., G, 5-4.
Top newcomers: April Murden, So., F, 5-7; Brianne O'Berry, So., G, 5-7; Leah Starkey, Fr., G-F, 5-7; Katie Pack, Jr., C, 5-10; Elizabeth Bradshaw, Jr., C, 5-10.
Coach's outlook: The team is young, but has a lot of potential. Although it is a building season, Aston has two very talented athletes in Ann Murden and Dunn.
NORFOLK ACADEMY
Coach: Neil Duffy (first year)
Last year's record: 23-2, 7-2 TCIS tournament champions
Top returnees: Kendra Robins, Sr., G, 5-6; Katie Rowan, Sr., F, 5-8; Lizzy Rice, Jr., G, 5-7; Sarah Michaels, Fr., F, 5-8.
Top newcomers: Clara Sims, Jr., G-F, 5-7; Anne Marie Nash, Jr., F, 5-8; Sarah Kaneko, So., F, 5-10; Katie Dolph, Jr., F, 5-9; Ashanti Buze, Jr., G, 5-4; Kara Mustin, Jr., G-F, 5-6; Tina McCarthy, Jr., F, 5-8; Mary Booton, Jr., G-F, 5-7; Dominique Corneille, Jr., G-F, 5-7.
Coach's outlook: The tournament champions return with a strong cast of newcomers to replace the eight graduated seniors. Robins and Rowan lead the team with skill and experience. Rice and Michaels should continue to see increased playing time and the Bulldogs should be staunchly competitive by the tournament.
NORFOLK CHRISTIAN
Coach: Jim Royster
Last year's record: 9-12, 3-6
Top returnees: Kristen Brown, Sr., F-C; Erin Hatcher, So., C.
Top newcomers: Mary Virginia Weissinger, Jr., G; Emily Mason, So., F; Tammy Shamitz, Jr., G; Cynthia Pear, Fr., G; Amanda Hopkins, So., F; Kristin Sadler, Fr., F; Tammy Shader, So., F; Veronica Atamanchuk, So., F.
Coach's outlook: The Ambassadors are a small, but coachable, squad. Although they are young and lack experience, the players have a competitive spirit and the team should make strides this season.
NORFOLK COLLEGIATE
Coach: Rufus Outland (first year)
Last year's record: 17-5, 8-1
Top returnees: Elizabeth Swearingen, Sr., G; Carol Baker, Sr., G; Kellie Jones, Sr., F; Shanna Crockett, Sr., C; Erin McElroy, Sr., G; Ashley Hall, Sr., C.
Top newcomers: Heather Waters, Sr., G; Cari Davenport, Sr., F; Heather Toro, Jr., G; Jennie Leavy, Jr., G; Joy Huffman, Jr., C; Lindsay Borgel, Jr., F.
Coach's outlook: The Oaks return three starters from the squad that fell only to Academy and N-SA last season. All-Conference guard Swearingen and forward Jones keyed the Oaks' success and are joined by five other seniors for an experienced lineup. Newcomers Toro and Huffman bring speed and rebounding ability to the court. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Kendra Robins is expected to be a top player for Norfolk Academy. by CNB