2004 All-PAC-VI Team
Only eight days to try to install an offense for Duke play day

Coach Jim Kirkley addresses the team at the beginning of practice on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2004

The 2004 captains are, from left, Brian Ring, T.L. Hutchins, Chris Cherry and Bryan Thompson

The team had its first day of practice on the parking lot because snow had soaked the practice field. Coach Kirkley expected the team could use the field the next day.

The 2004 edition of the Riverside Pirates lacrosse team debuted two days late on Wed., Feb. 18, due to incliment weather and no school because of two snow days.

But it was sunny and about 48 degrees as the team took to the parking lot at Riverside for its first practice of the year. The practice field was given an extra day to dry out due to the wet weather. Coach Jim Kirkley said he expected the team to be able to use the field on Thursday.

Also on hand on Wednesday were assistant coaches Pete Kitrinos and Greg Tate. Thurston Webb, the junior varsity coach, was also there to start practice for the younger players.

Kirkley stressed to the team in a pre-practice meeting that time is of the essence. The team is behind already due to the weather and, he said, fell behind even more on Wednesday because it had to use the parking lot. He told the team they could expect lots of running in the next few days to get in shape.

The varsity has its first competition on Feb. 28 at Duke for the annual play day to benefit the Duke Brain Cancer Research Center. That means that it will have only eight days of practice between today and the play day to try to install its offense and get into something resembling season form.

Five days after that the team has a home game against a tough Mt. Tabor team for it's first game of the year. They follow that with a home game against Orange on March 8, and will play Apex away the very next day on March 9. Then they get a two day break and will play the team from Plano High School in Texas on March 11.

Posted Jan. 8, 2004

Bryan Thompson

Brian Ring

Chris Cherry

T.L. Hutchins

Coach Jim Kirkley announced on Thursday, Jan. 8, that the 2004 Riverside varsity team will again have four captains. They are Bryan Thompson, Brian Ring, Chris Cherry and T.L. Hutchins.

The four seniors will lead the Riverside squad during a season that, judging from the schedule, is going to begin in a grueling manner. The Pirates will have to hit the ground running and play four games in seven days beginning with the opening game against Mt. Tabor at home on March 5.

Riverside players hard at work at last year's mulch-sale delivery day

They follow that with a home game against Orange on March 8, and after a bit of sleep, will play Apex away the very next day on March 9. Then they get a two day break and will play the team from Plano High School in Texas on March 11.

A full house of players and parents met at St. Luke's Episcopal Church on Hillandale Road to enjoy chili, rolls and salads while getting their marching orders from Randy Smith, the mulchmaster, regarding this year's Mulch Madness.

The hope is that the mulch sale will raise enough money for new varsity jerseys and new scrimmage jerseys and have enough left over to subsidize the spring break trip to Orlando in April. If successful, the current varsity uniforms will replace the aging JV uniforms. That will be a bit sad for old-timers who remember when those jerseys were worn when Riverside won its first state championship in 1998.

Each player got a sales kit that included door-hanger brochures and a sample of the mulch in a plastic bag. Since players will be walking around in school carrying small plastic bags with vegetable matter in them, Principal Patrick Rhodes got an advance look at the little baggies to ensure there would be no confusion about their contents, players were told.

The mulch is shredded hardwood and comes in 3-cubic-foot bags for $4 apiece. Each bag covers 10 square feet with three inches of mulch. Home delivery by lacrosse team members is available for $10. Order deadline is Feb. 6 and pickup and delivery day is March 6 at West Durham Lumber Company before 1 p.m.

Mulch can be ordered by calling 383-6939. Checks should be made out to Riverside High School and mailed to Mulch Madness, 4102 Westfield, Durham, NC 27705. Please include name, street address, city, ZIP and phone number. All orders must be prepaid.