Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 20, 1993 TAG: 9306200063
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRIS BACHELDER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"We've got a transfer from JMU [6-foot-9 John Hunter] and we can use his size, but we felt like we really needed backcourt help," Dr. Bradley said. "With scholarships being reduced to 13 [under NCAA rules], we didn't have a whole lot available, but we had just three guards total and we needed some depth.
"The ones we had [Jason Lansdown, Johnny Watkins and Shane Weddle] are good backcourt players, but we were just thin. Also, none are true point guards and we recruited two kids who can play the point. I've lost about four point guards in two years, so we needed help."
The newcomers are 6-footers Damian Ingram, from Charlotte, N.C., and Anthony Walker, from Columbus, Ohio. Both come to Radford somewhat seasoned: Ingram played two years at Hiwassee (Tenn.) Junior College, and Walker spent a year at Hargrave Military Academy.
Lansdown and Watkins will be sophomores next season and Weddle will play his first season in the program after transferring from Eastern Kentucky, so the newcomers' experience eases Bradley's mind.
Hunter will become eligible in January.
Asked if any recruit could provide an early impact, Bradley said, "I hope so. We'll be a whole new team.
"The ones who have won a lot of games here in the past few years are gone. [Forward Don] Burgess is the one holdover. It will be like starting over for everyone."
Bradley's general impressions of the new Highlanders?
"I'll let you know after we've played about 50 games."
Here's a look at the recruiting fortunes of other area schools:
\ VMI: Coach Joe Cantafio went looking for scoring help for the offensively troubled Keydets, and he found guards - lots of guards.
Four of the five Keydets recruits are 6-2 or shorter, the exception being 6-6 B.J. Grinage from Greensboro, N.C.
"We desperately needed scoring help, guys that could shoot the basketball," Cantafio said. "I think we filled that void. We got some guys who fit the mold as scorers."
At the head of the guard unit is Maurice Spencer, a first-team All-Group AA and All-Timesland player from Martinsville who averaged 18 points per game as a senior.
"I like his toughness," Cantafio said.
\ ROANOKE: The Maroons' coaching staff also went shopping for guards, and coach Page Moir is enthused about the results.
"Next year we'll have four senior guards, and I try to recruit one year ahead," Moir said. "So perimeter players were our biggest needs and [assistant] Rick Hall and myself did a good job. It was an excellent year."
Among Roanoke's half-dozen recruits are three All-State players - 6-1 Jason Bishop (Rye Cove), 6-2 Courtney Fitch (Princeton, N.J.) and 6-2 Adam Griffen (Winston-Salem, N.C.).
Derek Bryant, a 6-4 guard from Franklin County High School, is the lone local recruit. Moir said he particularly likes Bryant's 3-point shooting.
\ FERRUM: Coach Bill Pullen and the Panthers landed a pair of players, including Michael Hunter, the versatile 6-2 athlete from Alleghany.
Hunter averaged 22 points last season for the Mountaineers and was named Blue Ridge District player of the year, first team All-Timesland and second team All-Group AA. He also was the football team's quarterback and an accomplished hurdler and jumper.
Pullen said he expects Hunter to see early playing time in Ferrum's three-guard offense.
The other recruit is 6-9, 225-pound Toby Blair, who comes to Ferrum by way of Towson, Md., and Hargrave Military Academy.
\ WASHINGTON AND LEE: The number of recruits - not their stature - will make next year's class a big one at W & L. Ten players are expected, and only one - 6-6 Scott Ayers of Spokane, Wash. - stands taller than 6-4. Generals are arriving from seven states and there isn't a Virginian in the bunch.
by CNB