DATE: Thursday, March 20, 1997              TAG: 9703190155

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 12   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:  121 lines

BOOKER T., CHURCHLAND LOOK LIKE WINNERS THEIR COMPLEMENT OF VETERANS MAKES THEM LOOK LIKE THE TEAMS TO BEAT.

The presence of talented veteran performers at Booker T. Washington and Churchland appear to give these teams an edge heading into the Eastern District softball season.

Lake Taylor, Granby and Wilson should also contend as the addition of the three Portsmouth schools figures to make the title race extremely competitive.

In other area districts, Kempsville looks set to challenge Princess Anne and Bayside for supremacy in the Beach, while Great Bridge and Western Branch could feel the heat from Southeastern District newcomer Nansemond River.

An alphabetical, team-by-team look at the Eastern District:

BOOKER T. WASHINGTON

Coach: Nathaniel Baxa Last year: Tied Granby for district title, advanced to regional semifinals

Key performers: Raquita Washington, shortstop; Charity Thomas, catcher; Cheryl Haynes, catcher; Blair Sherwood, pitcher; Jill Layug, outfield; Alicia Bennett, outfield; Kia Thomas, pitcher/outfield; Lasonya Jackson, outfield; Lavonne Cuffee, outfield.

Outlook: Baxa, an assistant a year ago, replaces two-time district coach of the year Paul Palombo. Sherwood, described by Baxa as a quick learner, takes over the pitching duties. Assuming he's right, the Bookers should be a handful as team features talent and experience all over the field. Washington and Thomas were both first-team all-district picks last season.

CHURCHLAND

Coach: Bobbi Conrad

Last year's record: Third in the Southeastern District

Key performers: Stacey Hundley, shortstop, Bianca Vazquez, catcher; Michelle Pearson, pitcher; Melissa Betts, second base; Kim Keefer, first base; Kayt Keefer, third base; Norma Johnson, outfield

Outlook: Eight of nine starters return from last year's third-place entry in the powerful Southeastern District. The leader is Hundley, a two-time Portsmouth player of the year who reached base 58 percent of the time last year. Vazquez was a second-team all-region pick and Pearson, whose 86 strikeouts are the most in the history of Portsmouth high school softball according to Conrad, was the team's MVP.

GRANBY

Last year's record: Tied Booker T. Washington for district title, lost in first round of district tournament

Coach: Jeff Crook

Key performers: Gina Frazier, outfield/pitcher; Erin Justus, catcher/third base; Elaine McCall, pitcher/shortstop; Lauren Bowen, outfield; Tricia Gordon, outfield; Kristy Alexander, shortstop/pitcher.

Outlook: Crook takes over for longtime Comets coach Mickey Lamastra. McCall, the Eastern District singles champion in tennis last fall, was a first-team all-district pitcher a year ago and heads an experienced cast. The outfielders, all returners, are led by Frazier, who had a .975 fielding percentage and 30 putouts a year ago.

LAKE TAYLOR

Coach: Beanie Schleicher Last year: Third in Eastern District, won district tournament and lost in first round of regional tournament

Key performers: Shannon Rosenbaum, pitcher; Kacey Wardlaw, catcher; Tracey Millard, shortstop; Christina Tarr, outfield; Tabitha Csumay, third base; April Cullen, position undetermined; Jennifer Lingerfelt, position undetermined; Tracy Tarr, position undetermined

Outlook: Titans have a solid core of returners led by Rosenbaum, the district player of the year last season. Wardlaw and Millard were also first-team all-district performers. Schleicher said Cullen, Lingerfelt and Tracy Tarr are tough freshmen who will step up and contribute.

MAURY

Coach: Cynthia Austin

Last year: Fifth in the Eastern District

Key performers: Annie Schultz, shortstop; Jennie Saunders, pitcher/outfield; Katie Owen, third base/outfield; Carie Chambers, first base

Outlook: Softball is one of the few sports the Commodores haven't mastered in Norfolk but Austin, one of five first-year coaches in the district, is ``very excited'' about this year's team. ``We are very young and inexperienced, but have great potential,'' Austin said.

NORCOM

Last year: Eighth in the Southeastern District

Coaches: Bonnie Walker, Preston Watson

Key performers: Shonda Gloude, catcher; Amber Lewis, pitcher; Lawana Blount, third base; Zeketa Cost, second base; Kemona Cost, utility; Monica Stevens, shortstop

Outlook: Victories have been scarce for the Greyhounds in recent years, but Walker said she's noticed more dedication among the players so far. Both coaches are trying to promote a family atmosphere and a sense of resolve.

NORVIEW

Last year: Fourth in Eastern District, upset Granby before losing in district tournament final

Key performers: Heather Emerick, catcher; Larika Jones, pitcher; Tiffany Weiss, first base; Nina Teano, second base; Khara Willis, third base; Heidi Grace, outfield; Sarah Peoples, outfield

Outlook: The Pilots' defense is solid, Rothermel said, Jones and Willis have some pop and Emerick brings a strong arm and excellent leadership skills. If Jones can deliver on the mound and additional hitters develop, Norview could surprise.

WILSON

Coach: Conrad Gordon

Last year: Fifth in the Southeastern District

Key performers: Shawndall ``Dee Dee'' Fox, second base; Erica Goral, catcher; Amanda Johnson, shorstop; Amanda Adams, pitcher; Erica Davis, first base; Lindsey Ellis, third base; Paula Miller, outfield.

Outlook: Injuries/illness shortcircuited the Presidents' plans for contention last year, but this year's combination of good health and a weaker district has Gordon hoping for big things. Eight starters return, most of whom have been together at least three years and play AAU ball all year. The featured performer is Fox, a first-team All-Southeastern District player who hit .500 and struck out only twice last season. ILLUSTRATION: File photo

Granby shortstop Kristy Alexander takes aim at first base in a game

against Oscar Smith last season. KEYWORDS: HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL PREVIEW

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