Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 8, 1990 TAG: 9003081519
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Doug Doughty
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
"I think our chances are good," said Salem Civic Center director Carey Harveycutter, who met with Atlantic Coast Conference officials this past weekend. "We're going after it."
Also involved are Winston-Salem, N.C.; Anderson, S.C.; and Fayetteville, which has served as tournament host for the past 10 years. Dee Todd, assistant commissioner of the ACC, said she did not expect any other bids.
Todd said the conference is looking to award either a two- or three-year contract starting in 1992, although it is possible Fayetteville would relinquish rights for the 1991 tournament.
"I have heard nothing to indicate they wouldn't want us," Todd said.
It might work to Salem's advantage for the tournament to be held in Fayetteville next year, because the Metro Conference men's tournament will be held one week later in Roanoke.
"We would be concerned about anything that would take away from our tournament," Todd said.
One plus for the Salem Civic Center is its capacity of 6,200 for basketball. "Ideally, we're looking for something in the range of 5,000 to 6,000," Todd said.
The Lawrence Joel Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem seats 14,407 and is in the same city as one of the ACC schools, Wake Forest.
"I can't speak for the coaches," Todd said, "but I wouldn't be surprised if it came up."
The building in Anderson, S.C., which would seat 5,500, has not been built.
Proposals will be made to a committee of Todd and the eight ACC coaches, who will make a recommendation to the ACC athletic directors, who will make a decision at their May meeting.
"I wouldn't say we're wholly disappointed with Fayetteville," Todd said, "The sports club has been good, but I don't think the city has been quite as involved as we'd like.
"I'd like to be able to fill seats, but I'm very interested in the community adopting the tournament as something special."
Dawn Staley, an All-ACC guard on the Virginia women's basketball team, arrived one hour before Saturday's first-round game against Georgia Tech after attending her grandmother's funeral. Then, Staley learned Sunday night of the death of Loyola Marymount star Hank Gathers, a classmate at Dobbins Tech in Philadelphia.
Tammi Reiss, star of the Cavaliers' 67-64 victory over North Carolina State in the championship game, passed out on the bench with 10 seconds remaining in overtime. Reiss had turned her ankle and, upon returning to the bench, was overcome by emotion and fatigue. She was hospitalized for observation and released.
Jenny Mitchell, a junior from Roanoke, finished the women's basketball season as the leading scorer (15.9) and rebounder (9.8) for Wake Forest. Mitchell already has broken Wake Forest's career rebounding record and had personal highs of 30 points and 20 rebounds, also a school record, in an 87-84 loss to Alaska-Anchorage.
One-time Virginia men's basketball signee Cornel Parker reportedly has expressed interest in Virginia Tech, although he reportedly would be inclined to go with UVa again if assistant coach Jeff Jones is retained, either as the new head coach or a member of the staff.
Parker, whose first letter-of-intent no longer is binding, learned last week that he has met Proposition 48 guidelines for freshman eligibility. Parker, a 6-foot-8 forward, was the co-Group AAA player of the year at Maury High in Norfolk before enrolling this year at Fork Union Military Academy.
In its annual money-making road trip, VMI's basketball team went to Arkansas and Texas this season. Next year, the Keydets are tentatively scheduled for a swing through Alabama and Vanderbilt. VMI, which will not have a home game in December, will visit Cornell over the holidays.
Sam Cook, a sophomore from Alleghany High School in Low Moor, was the third-leading scorer (9.5 points per game) and second-leading rebounder (5.4 per game) for Navy's basketball team. Cook started 18 of 28 games and was third on the team in minutes played. He shot 50 percent from the field and 59.7 from the free-throw line.
Navy will be the site this weekend of the NCAA rifle championships. Will Suggs, a senior from Roanoke, is the leader of a Navy team that carries a 17-1 record into the competition. Suggs, whose family moved to Roanoke this year from Clarion, Pa., is a likely All-America selection.
Virginia tailback Marcus Wilson, who will not return for his final year of eligibility, was listed last week by USA Today as a possible second-round NFL draft pick.
Teammate Roy Brown has been rated as one of the top four offensive-guard prospects despite being measured at 6-4[ by the National Scouting Combine. Brown was listed at 6-6 by UVa.
Two sets of twins signed letters-of-intent with ACC football programs, but neither set is going to the same school. Quarterback Geoff Bender of Pittsburgh signed with North Carolina State, but his twin, wide receiver Jason Bender, is headed for Georgia Tech. N.C. State also signed lineman Scott Woods, whose twin, Heath Woods, is going to North Carolina.
Virginia Tech quarterback Cam Young, who completed his eligibility this past season, has gained his real-estate license and is working with the MarketPlace Center project in Roanoke. "I was impressed with his ability to check off at the line of scrimmage," said Dave Saunders, developer of the project.
by CNB