Basketball Article

Smaller Lonesome Pine still strong

Saturday, Nov 24, 2007 - 11:19 PM

BY Tim Hayes
Sports Reporter
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With Gate City and Coeburn leaving the Lonesome Pine District due to Virginia High School League realignment, the LPD has shrunk to six teams.

However, the league still has some quality squads in the likes of J.I. Burton, Powell Valley and J.J. Kelly.

The following is a look at each team in the district (listed in order of finish in preseason coaches poll):

J.I. BURTON

J.I. Burton went 15-11 last year and advanced to the Region D tournament, where it almost shocked Castlewood in the semifinals. The Raiders appear to be loaded again.

Six-foot-3 senior center Ethan Stewart (11 points, 9.1 rebounds per game), 5-foot-9 guard Devin Talley and forward Pat Begley are also back.

The biggest uncertainly for Burton is guard Jaycob Coleman, who led the Raiders in scoring last season and also dished out five assists per game. However, Coleman suffered an injury during football season and his status for the 2007-08 basketball season is still unknown.

Head coach Stan Wilson has won more than 500 games during his career and you can bet his team will once again be a force to be reckoned with.

POWELL VALLEY

Head coach Zach Moore's first season in Big Stone Gap resulted in a 14-11 record, but the Vikings failed to make the Region D tournament.

Powell Valley returns three starters from last season ? senior guard John Michael Allen, sophomore guard Myron Pinkston (12.0 points per game) and senior forward Cedric Mitchell (12 points, eight rebounds per game).

They will be joined by a supporting cast comprised of Jordan Martin, Terrell Turner, Theo Johnson, Delmas Lawson, Ryan Hubbard and Zack Holcomb.

A three-guard attack will be part of Moore's plan and the Vikings will rely on their quickness.

"Almost everyone is back in the second season in our system and this has to help us," Moore said. "If we play hard all the time and play as a team, we may win a few games this year that are meaningful."

J.J. KELLY

With four starters returning and seven letterman back, J.J. Kelly should improve significantly on last season's 9-14 record.

Six-foot senior guard Devan Sproles is the most notable returnee and was an All-LPD selection last season after averaging 10 points and seven rebounds per contest.

Matthew Dotson (5-foot-9, jr.), Blake Roberts (5-8, jr.) and Deven Miller (6-3, jr.) are the other returnees.

Transfer Chris Strouth (6-4, sr.) will add depth in the post, while seniors Justin Wilson and Devin Rasnick should also contribute.

Joseph Collins, Monty Teasley, Chad Bartlette, Aaron Clark, Alex Maine and C.J. Short round out the Indians' roster.

CLINTWOOD

David Vanover replaces Brian Mills as Clintwood's head coach, having previously served as the Greenwave's boss in 2004-05, when he went 12-11.

He inherits a deep team that went 10-13 a year ago. Evan Vanover (17.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game) is one of the LPD's best all-around player and Clintwood's top returnee.

Tyler Mullins, Heath Counts, Chris Robinson and Nick Robinson also return. Other options include Peyton Kendrick, Derek Robbins, Devin Elswick and Chris Meade.

Clintwood's season will start late due to the football team's participation in the Region D, Division 1 title game.

POUND

Pound lost scoring machine Dustin Fleming to graduation, but the Wildcats still return a solid starting lineup.

Bryan Keith, Chase Beverly, Caleb Stanley, Ryan Branham and Erik Bolling are all solid and will share the scoring load. Justin Mullis, Josh Lowe and Ben Bowman are other contributors.

Head coach Jack Hamilton likes his team's athleticism and post presence, while his concerns are some inexperience and finding consistent guard play.

APPALACHIA

Appalachia should be much better than last season, when the Bulldogs went just 5-18 and collected very few important wins.

Bud Allen, Josh Allen, Devin Brickey and Andy Sampson are the top returnees, while Forrest Stuart, Mason Stuart, Tyler Hall and Cody Boyd lead the crop of newcomers.

The Bulldogs won the LPD junior varsity championship lat season, so things are looking up for head coach Pat Jervis and his team.