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Neck and Neck: Tight race expected for PTC girls title
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Jazmin Cromartie of Parkland averaged 17.9 points last season.
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Published: December 7, 2008
All indicators point to Parkland and High Point Andrews slugging it out for control of the Piedmont Triad 3-A girls race. The Mustangs' front line is clearly the league's most dominant. The Red Raiders can counter with quickness and a deep bench.
Parkland will claim ownership of the lane with three all-conference post players. Jazmin Cromartie, an imposing presence at both ends who averaged 17.9 points and 12.4 rebounds last season, recently signed with High Point. J'Mia Pollock, a rangy 6-1 senior forward with considerable wing span, averaged 16.4 points, 11.7 rebounds and 6.6 blocks last season. She has attracted interest from several colleges but has not made a decision. Victoria Davis, a junior transfer from North Forsyth, is the addition to Parkland's inside game. She was an All-Central Piedmont 4-A pick last season after averaging 13.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists.
"It's tough for teams to stop us down low, so we know we'll see plenty of zone defenses," Coach Jon Weavil of Parkland said. "We're aiming to use pressure defense to fuel our offense, and that means we're going to push the pace every chance we get. That will help our post players because they can get down the floor on the break. In situations where the break isn't there, we'll just get the ball inside to our big three."
With the front line getting so much attention, it's mandatory that Parkland's guards limit turnovers and deliver timely outside shooting. Sydney Surratt has emerged as a quality point guard and should get ample support from Jessica Morgan, who has been sidelined by an ankle injury but is expected to be fully recovered by January.
Parkland got an early-season shock in an upset loss to Starmount in the first round of the Mary Garber Holiday Classic, squandering a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter and losing by one.
"We had four players foul out, and three were starters," Weavil said. "Our girls learned a lesson that night about how to finish games, and I believe it's going to help us down the road. This team has put in the necessary work during the summer and the preseason. This could be a special season for us."
Andrews returns the PTC's premier point guard and a talented cast in its bid for the championship. Guard Tonisha Baker (17.1 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 apg) has signed with Campbell and will get much-needed help from an athletic crew that can run the floor, score and play suffocating defense.
Sequaya Jackson (10.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg), Skyra Watson and Eastern Guilford transfer Anjelica Mack provide the quickness and depth needed to execute a fast-paced game designed to force turnovers and wear opponents down.
"One year makes a big difference," said Coach Weaver Walden, whose Red Raiders finished 11-15 last season. "This time last year, we had so many people who were new, and now they have the experience and the confidence (to compete for a title). What's even better is that Tonisha won't have to do it all by herself anymore. We'll press and play 94 feet and get after people."
Count on Glenn to be in the mix with senior guards Kaela Bellefeuil (11.5 ppg) and Madison Dulaney (8.2 ppg, 7.5 apg) leading the way. The Bobcats, however, must get sufficient help from an untested front line to make a sustained run at Parkland and Andrews.
Swing player Shenika Sutton comes off the bench to provide scoring and high energy as a solid defender. Post players Raeven Spencer and Meredith Tilley (8.4 rpg) have improved their games. Although the Bobcats are not a run-and-gun squad, they will run at every opportunity and use a variety of defenses to keep opponents guessing.
"Our backcourt is exceptional, so that gives us a legitimate opportunity to compete every time we take the floor," Coach Eugene Love of Glenn said. "Two things need to happen for us to be at our best. The seniors must carry the load game in and game out, and our inside players need to continue to grow. The season is a marathon, not a sprint. So, we're all excited about the possibilities (for the season)."
In some respects, Southwest Guilford will have to start over again after winning the regular-season title last February. Coach Jessica Bryan, in her first season, has ample talent, but there's a shortage of game experience.
That's why Brittney Mercer's role as floor leader is crucial. Mercer, a two-year starter, isn't a double-digits scorer, but her ability to motivate and orchestrate will help younger players make a smoother transition to varsity play. Freshmen Zana Lovette and Clair Deese are expected to contribute as guards who can score and defend. Shannon Buchanan is primed for another productive season as a dependable inside scorer and exceptional rebounder (second in the conference at 11.3 a game last season).
The Cowgirls are built to run the break and press from baseline to baseline. In Bryan's mind, though, how well her team fares hinges on controlling the boards and converting free throws.
"I'm looking forward to accomplishing some great things at Southwest over the next two to three years," Bryan said. "For now, we're very young, so it's important that we learn how to work together. If we can mesh as a team before we start conference play, we'll be in good shape. The big question about this group is how will they handle pressure in tight games against veteran teams who are well coached?"
Carver is undersized at the post positions and will rely on quickness and grit to be a factor. With only one senior starter (power forward Nicole Little) back, it's a certainty that this team will experience growing pains.
"We're putting a lot of emphasis on mind-set," assistant coach Porsche Jones said. "After winning just four games last season, our aim is to convince our players that they can win. As long as we come ready to play every night, anything is possible."
The backcourt tandem of Taqueria Rhyne and Brehanna Davis-Bloom could emerge as one of the most formidable in the PTC by season's end. By all accounts, the best is yet to come for the two. Rhyne established herself as an offensive threat last season, and Davis-Bloom, a transfer from Forsyth Country Day, is already showing signs of becoming an all-star point guard. In the early season, these two have been so effective that Carver's opponents routinely use a triangle-and-two defense.
While Rhyne and Davis-Bloom will do most of the scoring, the Jackets also will apply pressure to force turnovers, which should create additional scoring opportunities in transition.
Reagan might have already taken a big step in its quest to keep its head above water. Last season, the Raiders lost 20 in a row before getting their first and only victory in the regular-season finale.
This season, Reagan picked up its first win in November, and was in contention in other games it lost. That should serve as a good omen for Coach Eric Rader, who won four NCHSAA 1-A championships at Thomasville before taking charge at Reagan two years ago.
Alana Beroth and Felicia Gibson are the top offensive contributors. Beroth, a 6-3 junior center, provides inside scoring, and Gibson, a sophomore guard, is a reliable perimeter shooter. The Raiders won't use full-court traps and presses like Rader's teams at Thomasville. But they are developing as a pesky bunch whose on-the-ball pressure makes it difficult for opponents to run their offensive sets.
"We can be pretty decent," Rader said, "but we won't set the world on fire.
"All we're looking to do is establish some consistency, which will help us be competitive. There has been so much improvement, especially with our ball-handling, shot selection and defense. Still, there's a lot more room for us to grow."
■ Coming Monday: A look at area NCHSAA 2-A and 1-A conferences.
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