The Atlanta Constitution from Atlanta, Georgia • 183

DEKALB EXTRA Thursday, March 6, 1997 JC9 The Atlanta Journal The Atlanta Constitution Realignment, rebuilding make season interesting 'i v) J. -im' I i (jf If MARLENE KARAS Staff Marist coach Dan Perez (left) will lose standout Wade Beacham, but he still expects to be tough in Region 6-AAA catcher Chris Benedict, son of former Atlanta Braves catcher Bruce Benedict. Outfielder Kevin O'Connor and pitchers J.P. Kill and Brian Brouillard also have experience. "We've got 11 seniors on the team," coach Andy Harlin said.

"If our pitching keeps us in games, we will be a good offensive team. Our offense can score some runs. We lost two big-gun pitchers." SOUTHWEST DEKALB Eight players are back from a team that just missed qualifying for the playoffs. Missing for the Panthers is Quincy Carter, a second-round draft choice of the Chicago Cubs. STONE MOUNTAIN The Pirates return seven starters from last year's 9-12 squad but lost junior P.J.

Broussard, who transferred to Parkview. Returning starters include seniors Scott Seeley, Carlos Hamilton, Mike Billingsley and Ronshuntae Murrah. STEPHENSON Coach Marvin Pruitt will have to build the Jaguar program from scratch, but he has a nucleus in Charles Smith, a junior transfer from Lithonia. Smith, who hit leadoff at Lithonia, had a .346 average. Pruitt is also depending on Greg Baranco and Chris Davis to help provide leadership.

"We have only three players on the team with varsity experience," Pruitt said. TOWERS The Titans have eight starters back from last year's team that went 11-14. Two players Keith Johnson and Ron Eason still are involved in basketball. Another player is ineligible for the season. "We are hoping that Keith and Ron's basketball season is extended as long as possible," Towers coach Lee Medwick said.

The big chore is to replace the graduated Sean Merritt, a top pitcher last season. Merritt had a county-leading 0.65 ERA in 64 innings. He also had a 6-3 record with 64 strikeouts. TUCKER Only two experienced players return from last year's 14-9-1 squad. Coach David Roman picked up Travis LeSane and Chad Turner from Shamrock, which converted into a middle school this fall.

LeSane hit .520 with 13 RBI, while Turner was 3-5 with a 3.14 ERA and 63 strikeouts. By Derrick Mahone STAFF WRITER Last season, four teams made it to the baseball postseason. The GHSA's reclassification of regions will make it an interesting season, especially in Region 6-AAA where St. Pius, Marist and former Class AAAA member McNair now reside. In the Georgia Dugout Club preseason baseball poll, Dun-woody is No.

9 in Class AAAA, McNair is No. 2 in AAA, Marist is No. 7 and Columbia is No. 9. The following is a look at the upcoming baseball season: AYONDALE The Blue Devils return only one starter center fielder Romero Head from last year's 11-13 team.

Coach Bill Newsome will depend on freshman Patrick Jackson and sophomore Derrick Leslie to anchor a young pitching staff. Senior catcher Dyjean Johnson also has some experience. "It seems like we are young every year," Newsome said. "We are basically starting over. We have a lot of players that transferred.

There is some potential, but our pitching is a little weak." CEDAR GROVE The Saints return all nine starters from last year's team and should improve on last year's 10-11 mark. Topping the list of returnees are senior pitchers Keith Spradling and Eric Walker. Spradling, who also plays shortstop, was fourth in the county last season with a 1.74 ERA. Walker, who also plays center field and second base, was sixth in the county with a 1.80 ERA. Coach David Edmondson is also high on sophomore Steven Creamer, who moves up from the junior varsity.

"With nine returning starters it is obvious that we have high expectations this year," Edmondson said. "We play a tough nonre-gion schedule early but should be very competitive in region play." CHAM3LEE While the Bulldogs lost three key players from last year's squad that lost to eventual state champion Gainesville in the second round of the state tourna- ment, they have one big addition. Coach Ken Penland has added Antonio Grissom, the younger brother of Atlanta Braves outfielder Marquis Grissom, as an assistant coach. Gone from last year is Matt Spicher, an all-county selection. However, sophomore Ronnie Robinson pitched 33 innings and BASEBALL PREVIEW had 40 strikeouts.

"Many experienced players return," Penland said. Our goal is to advance past 1996 results." CLARKSTON Skip Nelloms, a former Redan assistant, takes over the Angoras this season. Nelloms will try to help Clarkston rebound from last year's disappointing 3-16 season. Clarkston returns three starters from last year: Clifton Pitts (third baseman), Peter Boyd (shortstop) and Walid Tahmass (pitchercatcher). "We've got a good nucleus of young kids and a positive attitude," Nelloms said.

"Our main goal is to improve with every game we play." COLUMBIA The Eagles may return only four starters from last year's 21-5-1 team, but it is a talented group. Included is senior first baseman Dedrick Murphy, who hit .538 with 10 home runs. On the mound, he was 7-2 with a 2.73 ERA. Also returning is junior pitcher Jeremy Harts, who was 5-1 with a 2.53 ERA. Harts also hit .479 last year.

"We have a young team but should be competitive through a very tough schedule," coach Steve Dennis said. "With a few breaks and the maturing of the young players, it could lead to a very exciting season. It will be another good experience for the young players." CROSS KEYS The Indians return only three starters from last year's 1-20-1 team. However, coach Daryl Fleming has an array of young players to help develop the program. Returning for Cross Keys are senior Ryan Hanik, sophomore Walter Holmes and junior B.

J. Rice. All three have some pitching experience. Hanik got the team's only win last year. "We are a very young team," Fleming said.

"We are looking forward to improving on last year's disappointing season. I hope the young players can come through and help us to be competitive." DECATUR Coach Eddie Fowlkes has six starters back from last year's 8-12 squad, including outfielder Way-mon White, who hit .513 last season. Fowlkes had nearly 50 players try out for the squad. year. "We will be a very young team in terms of game experience," coach Dan Perez said.

"Offensively, Doug Kendrick will provide our main source of power. Defensively, our pitching should be solid, and Stephen Prather and Steve Economos will make us strong up the middle." McNAIR The Mustangs have been one of the most successful programs in the county during the 1990s. The only thing that has eluded McNair is a state championship. "My biggest challenge is going to be keeping these guys focused in on the task at hand, and that's winning a state championship," coach Dion Williams said. McNair returns all nine starters from last year's 26-6 team that advanced to the second round of the AAAA state tournament.

Reclassification has the Mustangs in Region 6-AAA with Marist, St. Pius and Columbia. Leading the way is shortstop Shaheed Nelloms, a pro prospect who signed with Hawaii. The senior hit .471 with four homers and 44 RBI. Also returning is Chris Carmichael, who was chosen most outstanding at the Georgia Tech winter camp.

He hit .348 last season. Just making the playoffs isn't good enough anymore," Williams said. "We have been there and done that. Our goal has always been to win a' state championship, and that time is now." PAIDEIA Only three starters return from last year's Region 7-A playoff squad. Returning are seniors James Radford, Deric Gunshor and Nick Hinson.

REDAN Among those returning from last year's 17-9 team are sophomores Brandon Phillips (shortstop) and Matt Robison (catcher). Also returning are senior outfielderfirst baseman James Young and junior pitcher Mike Hildebrand, who was 5-1 last season. Another big addition to the team is assistant coach Sean Brinkley. He replaced Skip Nelloms, who became the coach at Clarkston. ST.

PIUS The Golden Lions return four starters from a team that was a win away from the Class AAA state playoffs. The returning starters are first baseman Kevin Soskin, shortstop Craig Kalb, outfielder Andy Paciorek and outfielder Darryl Stephens. All four are seniors. Adding experience is junior squad. Coach Duane Wilson has a few transfers that could put Lakeside in playoff contention.

Senior outfielder Charles Lawrence returns after hitting .439 with six home runs and 14 RBI last year. Druid Hills transfer Trey Woodall could boost the Vikings pitching staff. He was 2-4 with 48 strikeouts in 38 innings last year. UTHONIA In addition to losing six starters to graduation, coach Ron Elgin had two more transfer. The Bulldogs return starter Bryant Appling, who hit .351 with 24 RBI.

He was 3-2 with a 3.68 ERA. Also returning are Reggie Irwin, Charles Brown and David Hopewell. Elgin must replace pitcher Stephen Aultman, who is at Berry College, and leadoff hitter Charles Smith, who transferred to Stephenson. "Our outlook is to survive," Elgin said. "If our young players grow up, we will be very competitive." MARIST The War Eagles, who reached the Class AAA semifinals, return three position players and three pitchers from last year's team.

They lose DeKalb Player of the Year Wade Beacham (11 HR, .357, 7-1, 3.29 ERA), but the returnees are led by senior first baseman Doug Kendrick, who hit .315. Also returning are Steve Economos and Stephen Prather, who won five games each last DRUID HILLS Mike Worthington, a former assistant at Henderson, is the new coach for the Red Devils. He will have only three starters back from last year's team that finished 3-13 in Region 6-AA. Druid Hills will compete in Region 6-AAA this season. The returning starters are senior Tamir Wade and juniors Wesley Gibbs and Tommy Brown.

DUNWOODY Coach Tom Bass calls the team's pitching staff its strength. The Wildcats should be back in the Region 7-AAAA title hunt after finishing second to McNair last year. The Wildcats return six starters from last year's 22-7-1 team that advanced to the state playoffs, where they lost to Parkview. Returning is Danny Rueckel, a junior who was 8-2 with 72 strikeouts last year. Also returning on the mound is Pat Rusert, who was 5-2 with a 2.43 ERA.

Robert Thompson, a senior catcher, is the team's leading returning hitter. He had a .385 average, 16 RBI and three homers. "We are fortunate to have lost only two starters," Bass said. "Although our schedule is tougher this year, we should be very competitive in our quest for a region title." LAKESIDE The Vikings have five starters back from last year's 11-11 "We have gotten a lot better since last year," said Dill, whose team takes a 22-game winning streak into the game. "I am sure they have gotten better also.

It should be a good game." DECATUR: The Bulldogs disposed of nemesis Buford, 78-75 in double overtime, in the first round of the Class A state tournament, then held off top-ranked Callaway for an 88-80 win in the quarterfinals, setting up a return trip to the Class A final four. The Bulldogs (25-6) play Seminole County today at 4 p.m. "Nothing matters but Thursday night," said coach Bobby Reinhart, who led Decatur to the championship game two years ago. "It's going to be a challenge to not think it's going to be easier because we knocked off Buford and the defending state champions. It's not going to be any easier." While the win over Buford exacted a measure of revenge because the Wolves eliminated Decatur last year in the quarter finals in overtime, the win over Callaway (formerly Hogansville High) was bigger.

"It really makes me feel good for our guys. We've really come a long way this season," Rein-hart said. "It's real pleasing to see the things you do pay off once you come together and jell. Callaway can play. We were fortunate to get off to a good start.

They challenged us late, but we played well." I' Pirates, Vikings continue to pillage Three county teams are still alive GIRLS BASKETBALL sive plan. Eleven players scored in the 66-46 win over Lithia Springs. Melissa Murray-Hobbs led with 17, Katie McCarthy added 14 and Rebecca Bullock had 13. In an 80-59 rout of Dalton, Murray-Hobbs had just three points, but Bullock had 13 and McCarthy 12. Kara Edwards, who had only four points against Lithia Springs, had 14, and Alexis Smith (five against Lithia) added 11 "They all just did a tremendous job offensively," Asher said.

If the Lady Vikings capture the state title, much of the credit could go to a loss two weeks ago in the 6-AAA finals to St. Pius. "That was a great learning experience," Asher said. "We learned that we have to go out there and respect every single team we play. And it just added to my team's intensity." STONE MOUNTAIN: Dave LaBarrie and the Lady Pirates no longer are worried about the last two years, when Stone Mountain was knocked out in the state's first round.

Nor is the team's 30-0 record a big topic of conversation. Reaching the final four and staying alive for a state championship are the areas of focus now. "They want it; they are hungry LaBarrie sjid. "They know By Eric Wewers STAFF WRITER As the state girls basketball tournament moves to the Macon Convention Center, two DeKalb County teams will be trying to capture a title. In Class AAAA, Stone Mountain is seeking its first state title since the 1966 team won the Class championship under Neil Wooten.

In AAA, Lakeside is seeking its first basketball title. LAKESIDE: With four sophomores starting, Lakeside was expected to be too young to make a run at the Class AAA final four. But the fourth-ranked Lady Vikings (24-4) beat Litbia Springs and Dalton in the opening rounds to advance to the semifinals. Lakeside will play No. 2 Richmond Academy (24-2) today at 4 p.m.

"I did know that we had the ability to make it this far, but I wasn't sure if we would," Lakeside coach Shelia Asher said. "We're very proud of what we have accomplished, but we've got a big job ahead of us. I believe that every team in there has a great chance, and I think we have as good a chance as anybody else." Lakeside reached the semifinals with the same approach that built a 22-4 record entering the state tournament. The Lady Vikings play solid defense, and several players have the ability to score in Asher'oLbalanced offcn what a once-in-a-lifetime chance it is. They are right on the edge and want to win it.

The thing is, if you stay perfect, you win a state championship, so the two go together. We don't talk a lot about being undefeated." Up next for the Lady Pirates is a meeting today at 5:30 p.m. with No. 6 Lowndes, a 66-64 winner over Mcintosh in the quarterfinals. "It feels good to get to the final four," LaBarrie said.

"It's good for the school and for the players to get this far. I know that they Lowndes are pretty good, because they have gotten this far. I know they beat a great team Northeast Macon and then they beat another great team in Mcintosh, so they are going to be a challenge." The Lady Pirates put themselves in the Class AAAA driver's seat by knocking off top-ranked Cedar Shoals with a 49-47 win in the opening round of the playoffs. "If you can't win the first one, you can't go any further, so everybody's happy about it," LaBarrie said. You beat the No.

1 team, and it makes you feel good. It's like you really belong here. I thought we played well, and I'm pleased because I know they are a great team." After the win over Cedar Shoals, Stone Mountain, No. 2 in AAAA, defeated Campbell 55-44 behind 17 points from Dawn Battle and 12 each from Thova Gardner and LaShawn Mincey. By Derrick Mahone and Eric Wewers STAFF WRITERS Three teams from DeKalb County survived the first round of the state basketball tournament and go to Macon for their opportunity to win a state title.

A win by Columbia (Class AAA), Cedar Grove (AA) or Decatur (A) would be the third title in as many years for a DeKalb County team. Tucker won the AAA title last year, and Dunwoody captured the AAAA title in 1995. The following is a look at each team competing in the final four in Macon: COLUMBIA: To Columbia coach Phil McCrary, rankings really don't matter. The Eagles, No. 2 in Class AAA, will take on top-ranked Woodward Academy at 7 p.m.

Friday. "We try to break the season down in parts, and now we throw all that ranking stuff out of the picture," McCrary said. "It's a one-game thing. If you win it, you continue, but if you lose it, you're out. We just want to be prepared and focused going into a game." McCrary had a feeling during the summer, when the Eagles lost just once in about 50 games in camps, that this season could be special, but it wasnl until later in the season that it all came together.

"We had a few troubles at the BOYS BASKETBALL early part of the season, and it kind of got rough, so we called a team meeting and re-emphasized our goals," McCrary said. "We started playing better, and we knew we could get to this point" Columbia reached the final four with a 75-72 win over North Gwinnett on Saturday at Morehouse. Demario Jones and Kendall Newson had 23 points each, and Ralph Martin scored 13. "When they are doubling Ralph and he's not scoring well, one of the other guys will pick up the slack, and then it was Kendall," McCrary said. "At times, it may be Kendall or Mario Lemons or Demario Reed to step up and pick up the slack.

They all complement each other." CEDAR GROVE: Moments after beating East Hall to earn their second straight trip to the Class AA final four, the Saints had an early birthday celebration for coach James Dill. "If we would have lost, it would have been a sad party," Dill said. With the win, top-ranked Cedar Grove (29-1) earned the right to play No. 2 Mitchell-Baker today at 5:30 p.m. Mitchell-Baker beat the Saints last year 81-72 at Macon in the semifinals.

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