THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 9, 1995 TAG: 9506090677
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
Booker T. Washington boys basketball, which under Barry Hamler was often a high-scoring, crowd-pleasing act, might take a different tact this coming season.
The Bookers are expected to announce today that Jarrell Wilkerson, who has gained a reputation as a defense-oriented coach, would replace Hamler, who left to take over the Elizabeth City State University men's program.
Wilkerson was most recently an assistant coach under Zeke Avery at Hampton University. Ironically, Avery, who resigned this spring at Hampton University to move into administration, coached the Bookers to state Group AAA titles in 1985 and 1986.
The Eastern District is nothing new for Wilkerson, who coached the boys team at Lake Taylor in 1992-93 and 1993-94. Wilkerson began a resurgence in the downtrodden program, posting a combined record of 19-24.
The Titans had a breakthrough season this past year, posting a 13-7 record that first-year coach John Kelly was quick to accredit in part to Wilkerson.
Booker T. Washington athletic director Charles Harvin said the school was ``just glad to have the guy aboard.''
``His work ethic is the big thing,'' Harvin said. ``It would have taken a Jarrell Wilkerson to go over to Lake Taylor and do what he did not only with the boys but with the girls.
``He's familiar with the inner-city kids and knows how to motivate them. We're looking forward to a very exciting year with Jarrell coming aboard.''
The Bookers lost four starting seniors from last year's squad, which finished 14-7. But 6-foot-5 forward Dewayne Jacobs, who averaged 15.5 points, returns.
Wilkerson played collegiately at Norfolk State and was an assistant coach at NSU for nine years in the 1980s.
He coached the Lake Taylor girls team for a year before taking over the boys program.
Booker T. Washington boys basketball, which under Barry Hamler was often a high-scoring, crowd-pleasing act, might take a different tact this coming season.
The Bookers are expected to announce today that Jarrell Wilkerson, who has gained a reputation as a defense-oriented coach, would replace Hamler, who left to take over the Elizabeth City State University men's program.
Wilkerson was most recently an assistant coach under Zeke Avery at Hampton University. Ironically, Avery, who resigned this spring at Hampton University to move into administration, coached the Bookers to state Group AAA titles in 1985 and 1986.
The Eastern District is nothing new for Wilkerson, who coached the boys team at Lake Taylor in 1992-93 and 1993-94. Wilkerson began a resurgence in the downtrodden program, posting a combined record of 19-24.
The Titans had a breakthrough season this past year, posting a 13-7 record that first-year coach John Kelly was quick to accredit in part to Wilkerson.
Booker T. Washington athletic director Charles Harvin said the school was ``just glad to have the guy aboard.''
``His work ethic is the big thing,'' Harvin said. ``It would have taken a Jarrell Wilkerson to go over to Lake Taylor and do what he did not only with the boys but with the girls.
``He's familiar with the inner-city kids and knows how to motivate them. We're looking forward to a very exciting year with Jarrell coming aboard.''
Wilkerson was unavailable for comment Thursday.
The Bookers lost four starting seniors from last year's squad, which finished 14-7. But 6-foot-5 forward Dewayne Jacobs, who averaged 15.5 points, returns.
Wilkerson played collegiately at Norfolk State and was an assistant coach at NSU for nine years in the 1980s. He coached the Lake Taylor girls team for a year before taking over the boys program. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Jarrell Wilkerson
by CNB