By M. SEAN KILPATRICK

By M. SEAN KILPATRICK

Rawahannock New* Staff Writer

Coach Gary Leake at Rappahahnock County High School is confident that his varsity basketball team will make dramatic improvements this year.

How much improvement? “We are going to surprise a lot of people this year,” he said. “On paper we do not that strong with only two seniors returning who had significant playing time last season,” he added.

Leake and his team are going to get a severe test in the opening game on Friday, Dec. 11, when they face Brentsville. With four starters returning this year, Brentsville is considered the team to beat in the Bull Run District.

Earlier this week Leake spent time reviewing the 13 students he has playing for him this year and his hopes for the season. He will be carrying four seniors, four juniors, four sophomores, and one freshman. He was especially pleased with the results of a scrimmage last week against Randolph Macon Academy. His young squad dominated every part of the six quarter contest, he said.

The Panthers have scheduled a second pre-season scrimmage for this week. Leake made it clear that he has not yet made a final decision "on his starting team and will not until the end of this week. But as of Nov. 30 he is inclined to start three seniors, one junior and one sophomore.

“Deciding the starting lineup this year is a pleasure,” he said. “It is always nice to have four or five guys that could start for any other team in the district,” he added.

Not every potential basketball star can play on the Rappahannock squad. Leake insists that every menber of the team be passing every subject, which is a tougher standard than required by the district and state. “One young man who played for me last year is not on the team this year simply because his grades were not good enough.” Leake said.