Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 27, 1994 TAG: 9410050004
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ANDREA KUHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
After completing his Roanoke College basketball career last winter, Hilliary Scott figured his days as a player were over.
But this summer, Irish eyes were scouting the 6-foot-5 forward with the smooth jumper, and now his dream of playing professionally is set to come true.
Scott, who played high school basketball at E.C. Glass in Lynchburg, signed a contract this week to play for Killester, a team from Dublin, which competes in Ireland's Senior League.
``I'm young, and I've never been overseas,'' said Scott, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference's player of the year in 1994. ``I said, `Hey, I'd better jump on this now, because an opportunity like this may not come around again.'''
Scott, who led the Maroons in scoring for three straight seasons, was introduced to Killester by a friend in Lynchburg who knew the team's coach. He sent statistics and a video highlight film and was offered a spot on the roster without so much as a tryout.
The two-time Division III All-American received a set contract, which runs October to March. He wouldn't disclose how much he will be paid, saying only that ``it's not much. Not much at all.'' Scott said he has aspirations to move up in the professional ranks and will reevaluate the situation when his season in Ireland ends.
To join the team, Scott gave up a job offer as the restricted earnings coach on the staff of former Roanoke star Frankie Allen at Tennessee State. Allen also coached four seasons at Virginia Tech.
``It was tough, but this came up and I decided I still wanted to be a player and not a coach,'' said Scott, who was a candidate for national player of the year honors last season.
Scott reports to his new team Sept.3 and said he's as eager to take advantage of the travel opportunities as he is to get back on the hardwood.
``The first tournament we play in is in Wales, so I'll get to go there,'' he said. ``It's just an opportunity I can't pass up.''
Scott averaged 19.6 points, 8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game as a senior for the Maroons, who advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III tournament. He finished fifth on Roanoke's all-time scoring list with 1,609 points. He was third in career steals (144), fifth in career assists (523) and ninth in career rebounds (675).
by CNB