ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, April 5, 1996 TAG: 9604050087
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
HUNTER HOGGATT, Timesland's basketball scoring leader, makes an early commitment.
It's still up in the air where Hunter Hoggatt will play high school basketball next year, but his college choice already has been made.
Staunton River's Hoggatt, the leading boys' basketball scorer in Timesland in his junior season, has committed to play for Virginia Commonwealth University starting with the 1997-98 season.
While players have done this in other parts of the country, Timesland has not seen many Division I prospects with the opportunity to make a decision as a junior. Most have waited to commit until the fall of their senior seasons, as Salem's Mark Byington did two years ago when he committed to North Carolina-Wilmington before playing his senior season.
Hoggatt, who has scored 1,575 points in three years at Altavista and Staunton River, said, ``I think VCU is a perfect fit for me. They want me to play shooting guard, but I think I'll play some at point for them. Coach [Sonny] Smith has assured me that I will be the No. 1 recruit for them.
``This is an opportunity to fulfill my dream of attending college on a basketball scholarship and playing in a first-class Division I program.''
Hoggatt has averaged 25.4 points and 4.2 assists a game during his career. His decision to commit for a Division I scholarship relieves the pressure to move to a private school for his senior season. The Hoggatt family hinted last month that transferring might be an option for Hunter.
Thursday, Hoggatt stopped short of deciding where he'll play next year, saying, ``This sure makes it easier to stay at Staunton River.''
Hoggatt made two unofficial visits to VCU, and as a player at Altavista, he had attended summer camps there for two years.
``I like the idea of staying in state and playing in the Colonial [Athletic Association],'' Hoggatt said. ``This takes a lot of pressure off as far as summer camps. I can relax and enjoy my senior year a lot more.''
Hoggatt came to Staunton River two years ago after Stu Richardson was relieved of his duties at Altavista High, where the Colonels had dominated the Seminole District.
In his first year at Staunton River, Hoggatt helped lead the Golden Eagles to a 14-7 record as he scored 523 points.
This season, Hoggatt stepped up the pace with 561 points for a 28.1 average, but Staunton River's record dropped to 9-12. Coach Eddie Carter then resigned under fire in March.
His best game came when he pumped in 52 points as Staunton River went into overtime to defeat Appomattox County in the Seminole District tournament.
The celebration was short-lived, because Staunton River ran into unbeaten and eventual Group AA state champion Liberty in the second round. The Golden Eagles lost 71-54 as Hoggatt was held to 20, his lowest total in three games against the Minutemen.
Terry Hoggatt, Hunter's father who is principal at Staunton River Middle School, said at that time his son might move to a private school, though the change had nothing to do with Carter's situation.
LENGTH: Medium: 60 linesby CNB