TDIT field full of talent

This time a year ago, the Thomas Dale girls basketball team was a sleeping giant.

"We're awake now. Everyone knows what to expect from us," coach Kevin Coffey said of the Knights, ranked No. 2 in The Times-Dispatch Top 10 Poll heading into the Times-Dispatch Invitational Tournament's opening round tonight.

Thomas Dale (4-0) is one of seven teams in the eight-team field ranked in the T-D Top 10. The Knights' opponent: No. 1 Cosby (4-0) at Cosby. No. 3 L.C. Bird (4-1) and No. 6 Meadowbrook (3-1) play at Hanover High School, No. 8 Highland Springs (3-3) and No. 9 Deep Run (5-2) meet at Deep Run, and unranked Clover Hill (2-2) travels to No. 5 Atlee (4-1), the defending champion. Tipoff is 6:30 at the four sites. Play moves to the Siegel Center tomorrow and Monday.

All the teams' losses have been to other ranked teams.

"Everybody is up against the best," Coffey said. "Everyone has to raise the level of their game and can't afford to play below expectations."

Thomas Dale and Cosby met for the first time in the quarterfinals of the Central Region tournament in February. The Knights came away with an attention-grabbing victory before losing to Mills Godwin in the region semifinals.

"Drawing Thomas Dale is a tough one," Cosby coach Rachel Mead said. "We will have to play our best game and stay focused the entire time. Both teams are loaded with talent."

The Titans sport their big three of post player Jazmin Pitts and guards Andrea Bertrand and Becca Wann. The Knights feature standout guards Alyssa Frye, Ka'lia Johnson and Andrea Hobbs.

Pitts and Johnson were first-team All-Metro selections last year. Two other first-teamers in action are Atlee's Richelle Price and T-D player of the year Ruthanne Doherty of L.C. Bird.

At least three ranked teams will drop into the consolation bracket tonight.

"We are really looking forward to the tournament and are very excited about the competition," said Mead, whose Titans were third last year. "We aren't putting any pressure on the girls other than to play their best. We want them to work hard but also have some fun."

All the teams will use the TDIT to gain a better understanding about themselves. With so many ranked teams, the TDIT could be a sneak preview of region tournament time.

Thomas Dale's victories over L.C. Bird and Meadowbrook last week propelled the Knights from No. 4 in the poll to No. 2. The Knights don't want to play in the shadows.

"We want to compete with anybody, and we're willing to play anybody," Coffey said.

They'll get the opportunities in the TDIT.
Contact Arthur Utley at (804) 649-6559 or .