DATE: Thursday, November 13, 1997           TAG: 9711090239

SECTION: SPECIAL                 PAGE: Z9   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: 1997-98 BASKETBALL PREVIEW

SOURCE: BY VICKI L. FRIEDMAN, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   53 lines

WHILE ODU ROLLS ON, REST OF THE CAA SCRAMBLES TO BE THE LEADING ALSO-RAN

Once again it's the race for second place in the Colonial Athletic Association.

First place is a lock for Old Dominion, which has gone two years without a conference loss. The Lady Monarchs, winners of 94 of their last 95 league games, are going for their seventh straight CAA title.

James Madison used to be a sure bet for second, but this year the Dukes are starting over without stars Sarah Schreib and Holly Rilinger and veteran coach Shelia Moorman.

Instead, Bud Childers is at the helm, and although he led Louisville to three NCAA appearances in eight years, finding success at Madison could take some time. This squad is one of Madison's youngest in years with one senior, three sophomores and five freshmen.

American and George Mason should get a challenge from Richmond for the No. 2 spot. The Eagles, led by All-CAA pick Mary Klima, probably would have gone to their first NCAA tournament last year if they had won a couple of games in the conference tournament. Four starters return who will try to better American's school record of 11 CAA wins and a 12-1 mark inside their Bender Arena.

George Mason will be hurt if point guard Kristeena Alexander, the CAA Rookie of the Year, does not rebound from an ankle injury that led to surgery in June. The Patriots return seven veterans in the frontcourt, including leading scorer Krista Jay, a second-team All-CAA selection.

George Mason has never reached postseason play, but coach Jim Lewis says the conference will send at least one at-large team to the NCAAs.

``I guarantee it again this year,'' said Lewis, repeating the promise he made last season - when only ODU represented the CAA in the postseason.

Richmond wants to be that at-large team. Coach Bob Foley says the Spiders have set that goal and they believe it this season. Richmond went 16-11 in Foley's first season, and with top scorer Jennifer Meade back, he expects the Spiders to continue the up-tempo style that marks his coaching philosophy.

East Carolina lost two of its top three scorers, and William and Mary doesn't look to have the inside game necessary to win in the conference. Virginia Commonwealth returns four starters, including senior guard Chevette Waller, and will be boosted by 6-foot-1 Marika Rasmussen, a transfer from Maryland.

North Carolina Wilmington, usually in the CAA basement, has a new coach in Bernie Flax and two towering newcomers, 6-7 and 6-6 Russians.

``They are raw,'' Flax says, ``still adjusting to the physical style of American basketball.'' ILLUSTRATION: BETH BERGMAN/File photo

Krista Jay...LaToya Small... KEYWORDS: SPECIAL SECTION SUPPLEMENT BASKETBALL

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