Prep standout Christie moves to Mississippi

Spencer Patterson

Wednesday, Aug. 18, 1999 | 9:57 a.m.

It's a good thing Al LaRocque recently took a relaxing two-week vacation in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., because the Durango High School boys basketball coach is about to have some sleepless nights.

Last Thursday, when he returned from California, LaRocque learned that shooting guard Chey Christie, a junior-to-be and one of the state's top college prospects, will spend his final two prep seasons at Biloxi High in Biloxi, Miss.

The move comes as a result of a military transfer for Christie's father, Terry, who had been stationed at Nellis Air Force Base for the past year after moving to town from Connecticut.

"We've always prided our program on being like a family, so it's obviously a big blow," LaRocque said. "We thought he was on pace to be the best player in the state."

Last spring, Christie made an immediate impact in his first season with the Trailblazers, averaging more than 16 points and six rebounds for a Durango squad that reached the 4A state semifinals.

With Christie's older brother, Tony, in his senior year at Clemson last winter, it wasn't long before the Durango guard drew national attention himself.

He was invited to participate in this summer's Nike Hoops Jamboree in San Diego and averaged more than 30 points for the Blazers' summer squad, eclipsing the 40-point mark on three occasions.

Already, several websites have ranked Christie among the top 10 shooting guards in the class of 2001, and recruiting expert Bob Gibbons rated him Las Vegas' top prospect at last month's adidas Big Time Tournament.

Christie's father was expected to remain in town for a two-year stint, but he received a promotion this summer that required him to move to Mississippi. LaRocque said Christie is already in Biloxi, where he attended his first day of school on Monday.

"We knew it was a question whether he would be here for his senior year," LaRocque said. "You hate to see good players like that leave, but I think we'll still be a good team. Other guys will just have to step up."