Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 4, 1990                   TAG: 9004040192
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOHN SMALLWOOD SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

LYNCH'S STARDOM SHOWS IN ROANOKE TRIP

As another child scrambled to get his autograph or a parent asked him to pose for a picture, Lynch once again was aware how influential a figure he has become in the Star City.

"It's always good memories to come back home," said Lynch, who led Patrick Henry to the Group AAA basketball title in 1988 before heading off to Flint Hill Prep for his senior year and then on to the University of North Carolina.

Lynch, who had just completed his freshman season with the Tar Heels, was in Roanoke during the weekend to present the awards at the Virginia 14-and-under AAU basketball tournament.

"I enjoy watching these young guys playing hard and trying to do something better with their lives," said Lynch, who first gained national attention in 1986 while playing for the Roanoke Hawks in the 15-and-under AAU national championships.

Lynch became an AAU All-American while leading Virginia to a third-place finish. So when Hawks coach Joe Gaither called and asked if he would come home from Chapel Hill, N.C., for this year's tournament in Roanoke, Lynch didn't hesitate.

"I wanted to give something back to Roanoke for all the support it has given me," Lynch said. "[North Carolina coach Dean Smith] always tells us if we get a chance we should go and do things for the youth to try to inspire them to continue to achieve. Coach Gaither asked me to come, so I did."

After leading Patrick Henry to the state title in 1988, Lynch probably disappointed some local fans when he transferred to Flint Hill in Falls Church for his final high school season, but it wasn't anything personal.

During his senior year, he was one of the top prospects in the country and was recruited by virtually every school before casting his lot with North Carolina.

As a freshman, Lynch played in every game for the Tar Heels, who finished 21-13. He averaged 8.6 points and was third on the team in rebounds, with 183.

"I think it was a good season and a great learning experience," Lynch said. "Coach Smith is such a great teacher. Every day you see and learn something new."

Although the Tar Heels lose two senior starters, center Scott Williams and forward Kevin Madden, Smith is bringing in one of the top recruiting classes in the nation, with prep All-Americans Eric Montross, Brian Reese, Derrick Phelps and Clifford Rozier.

"I think we'll have a great team," Lynch said. "Learning the system is tough, but if they can come in, work hard and fit in, they'll be fine."

On Sunday, Lynch was just happy to be back home.

The awards ceremony probably wasn't as pleasant as Lynch would have liked, since he had to present the championship trophy to the Boo Williams Summer League team after the Hampton-based squad defeated his old team in overtime to win the tournament.

Before leaving, Lynch made a quick visit to the Hawks' locker room to console them.

"They played very hard," Lynch said. "To lose a big game is tough. I just wanted to let them know people realized how hard they tried and appreciated their effort."