MEADOW HEIGHTS ALREADY EQUALS 2-YEAR WIN TOTAL

Don't blame the Meadow Height Panthers if they think its district tournament time instead of time for the Christmas tourney.

After going 2-44 over the past two seasons, two wins already in the 1997-98 season may be messing with the Panthers' internal clocks.

Meadow Heights has equaled last year's win total in a 2-4 start (prior to last Friday's game against Marquand). The 14th-seeded Panthers face third-seeded Jackson at noon Friday in the opening round.

"They seem excited to win two this early," said Meadow Heights' first year coach Jeff Gravon about his players. "I have a little higher expectations than most people. I would like to get 10 wins. I would consider 10 wins a good season."

Meadow Heights has beaten Oak Ridge and Leopold while two of its losses have come at the hands of Delta.

Senior Kevin Weaver, 17 points a game, leads an offense that averages 70 points. Ronnie Laurentius is also in double figures with 10 point. Seth Revelle, Brandon Boyd and Michael Jeter round out the Panther starting lineup.

"We definitely have some kids that can shoot the ball," said Gravon.

The Panthers have been playing a more up-tempo game under Gravon.

"We pretty much take the first reasonable shot we get," he said.

The defense has been lagging a bit and Gravon would still like to see his team improve its conditioning.

"The kids have been real good to work with," said Gravon. "They're working hard to get in shape."

With their tallest player Boyd at 6--3, Meadow Heights will have a hard time matching up against a taller Jackson team.

"They're big and well coached," said Gravon. "We'll have our hands full in the first round. But if we can shoot the ball halfway decent and play defense, we should be competitive."