DATE: Thursday, September 11, 1997          TAG: 9709100220

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 11   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   98 lines

MAURY LIVING UP TO BILLING AS TITLE FAVORITE

The belief that Maury would capture the 1997 Eastern District golf title appears to have been well founded.

The Commodores, the consensus choice of the district coaches to unseat three-time champion Granby, opened their season with victories in four- and six-team matches and a district win over Wilson. They've already beaten Granby in a non-league affair and have shot as low as 312.

``I don't think anyone's going to be able to keep up with them,'' Wilson coach Cam Pollock said.

The Comets and Churchland, in that order, appear to be the best of the rest. Granby finished 10 strokes ahead of the Truckers in a non-district match at Ocean View. The two teams met again Monday.

Meanwhile, the ``Tiger Woods affect'' on district teams has been minimal. Norview has several newcomers and Wilson has 10 players this year, up from five a year ago. But few of the newcomers are minorities.

``I imagine it'll take a few more years,'' Churchland coach Duke Conrad said. ``And I think it'll start with the parents. Parents will get into the game, then turn it on their kids.''

An early season look at the district teams:

MAURY

The Commodores' one major preseason question - Who's No. 4? - appears to have been answered by freshman Ryan Glover, who moved to Norfolk from Tennessee and has finished fourth in two of Maury's first three matches. It should be a surprise he has felt so at home at his new school, though. Glover attended Maury Middle School in Tennessee. The top three spots have been solid as expected with J.R. Lockery, Casey O'Hearn and Jeff Powers. Lockery finished tied for second in the district tournament a year ago. O'Hearne joined Lockery as a regional tournament qualifier. Graham Covington will also be a factor.

Gary Masterson has taken over for former athletic director and longtime Maury golf coach Jerry Sazio.

GRANBY

Although coach Marty Bechtol calls this a rebuilding year, early results indicate the Comets won't fall too far. A nice story has been the return of senior Robert Boyd, whose 1996 season ended a few days before the district tournament when he was injured in an auto accident. The Comets dedicated their postseason to Boyd, who was fourth in the district tournament in 1995. Bill Hussey, Brandy Hussey and Daniel Chowela - who spelled Boyd last season - are the other key returners. Freshman Xerxes Nabong and sophomores McCants Terrence and Robert Collins should also contribute. Terrence and Collins were Comets last year but entered this season without match experience.

CHURCHLAND

A second-place finish, something the Truckers have logged the past two seasons, would have been more easily attainable this year had 1996 No. 1 Bobby Byrne returned. Byrne will work instead. That still leaves senior Robbie Floyd, junior John Facenda and sophomore T.C. Sessoms as a strong nucleus. Floyd tied Maury's Lochery for second in last year's district tournament and is described by Conrad as the most consistent player - always in the 76-80 range - he's ever had. Nine players are still scrambling for the No. 4 slot.

BOOKER T. WASHINGTON

At least the Bookers have a coach who knows what it takes to win at this level. Steve Gray is a former Eastern District champion at Lake Taylor. The Booker with the best chance of duplicating that feat is Jonathan Elliott, a two-time regional qualifier who turned heads last week by firing a 73. Elliott finished six strokes off the lead in last year's district tournament. Steve Wilson, Lyle Joyner, Victor Roberts and Robbie Subasavage are other returners.

WILSON

First-year coach Pollock may not have any superstars, but at least he knows what to expect every time out. Aaron Short (who shoots in the 88-92 range), GaryJohnson (90-94) and Brandon Lauderbach (90-94) are extremely consistent players.Ryan Duncan, the team's low scorer against Maury, Jimmy Key and Edward Powell round out the squad.

NORVIEW

In Nick Beane, Graham Lindsay and Dan McMillian, coach Don Lyons has three returning players capable of shooting in the 80s or lower. Norview also has the district's best complement of newcomers, a crop headed by Chris Peoples, Adam Anglen and Michael Keister. A victory over Wilson put Norview at the top of the second half of the district; a win over Booker T. Washington would move the Pilots closer to their goal of finishing in the first division.

LAKE TAYLOR

The rebuilding continues for coach Kirkie Harrison, who returns only Stephen Manrique and Chris Ballou from a team which won only twice last year. Approximately 15 students have signed up for the team, but several are just learning how to hit the ball.

NORCOM

Buck Whitley returns for his second year as the Greyhounds coach. No additional information was provided. ILLUSTRATION: File photo

Maury's J.R. Lockery tied for second in the district tournament a

year ago. KEYWORDS: EASTERN DISTRICT GOLF UPDATE

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