A mixed bag

By Shane Mettlen

Published: December 1, 2008

Mike McCombs is mixing old with new and hoping it produces a winning combination at Eastern View this season.

McCombs, who coached the Culpeper County High School girls basketball team last year, took over the first-year Cyclones program and has four of his top players from CCHS on the Eastern View roster. But after those four McCombs is looking at a squad with several first-year players.

“We have four players that came over from Culpeper with me and that helps,” McCombs said. “They are doing a good job showing leadership. The rest of those kids haven’t played much basketball since sixth grade. We have a lot of inexperience, but the work ethic is great.”

Senior forward Courtney White, an honorable mention All-Cedar Run District selection last year, gives the Cyclones a go-to player in the post and junior Miesha Brock is a scoring guard who can run the show on the perimeter, though she battled a groin injury in the preseason. Fellow junior Danesha Puller and sophomore Courtney Shanks also give McCombs some varsity experience.

Those four have taken on added responsibility this season.

“They are bringing the leadership and are helping these kids that haven’t played in a while,” McCombs said. “Actually, they may be trying too hard and holding themselves back a little bit.”

White and her teammates are set on starting a winning tradition at Eastern View.

“Now that we’re at a new school, we’re ready to get out there and start a dynasty or something,” White said. “We always try to help the other players with different things and be leaders for them. Most important is that we just try to keep them up and keep things positive.”

When the Cyclones step onto the floor for the first time Tuesday to face Louisa, they will do so with some players that know about winning, even if it isn’t on the basketball court. Senior Courtney Owens and junior Jackie Bedsaul were all-district players for the Eastern View field hockey team in the fall and could see plenty of action in basketball this season.

McCombs is relying heavily on athletes such as Owens and Bedsaul, who have plenty of experience in other sports, and hoping the athleticism transfers to the basketball court.

Mandy Martell, who was one of Culpeper’s top soccer players last year, is the third senior on the Eastern View roster and freshman Taylor Odend’hal could round out the starting five.

“They come from a winning program and with the girls basketball teams we’ve struggled,” McCombs said. “It’s been a few years since we’ve have a winning record and so I’m hoping they can teach our girls how to win. Mandy was a cross country runner in the fall and she’s in great shape.”

The Cyclones are hoping that the players they have can help them finish with a winning record.

“My goal is to get a record above .500,” White said. “If we can get further than that it would be great. It’s important to get off to a good start because if you can come out and win the first five games everybody’s demeanor changes and everybody gets excited to play basketball.”

Shane Mettlen can be reached at 825-0771, ext. 127 or .

Cyclones’ schedule
Dec. 2: vs. Louisa, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 4: vs. Luray, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 6: vs. William Monroe, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 8: at Louisa, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 11: at William Monroe, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 16: vs. King George, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 19: at Caroline, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 22: at CCHS, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 29: Skyline tourney
Dec. 30: Skyline tourney
Jan. 6: vs. James Monroe, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 9: at Courtland, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 13: vs. Chancellor, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 16: at Spotsylvania, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 21: at Highland, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 27: at King George, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 30: vs. Caroline, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 3: at James Monroe, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 10: at Chancellor, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 13: vs. Spotsylvania, 7:30 p.m.

Cyclones’ roster
Mandy Martell
Courtney Owens
Courtney White
Jackie Bedsaul
Miesha Brock
Shakidra Nelson
Danesha Puller
Chanelle Williams
Courtney Shanks
Tara Washington
Taylor Odend’hal

* Varsity rosters subject to change.