ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, July 5, 1996 TAG: 9607050084
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
THE LORD BOTETOURT forward-center makes an early decision to play for the Hokies and stay in the area.
Lord Botetourt's Sarah Hicks, the Timesland girls' basketball player of the year as a junior, has decided that Virginia Tech will be her next stop.
That is, as soon as she finishes trying to help lead the Cavaliers to another Group AA championship this fall.
Hicks' decision is possibly the earliest ever for a Timesland girls' player. She'll make it official with the Hokies during the early signing period this November.
Hicks was on her way to Spokane, Wash., Thursday for an AAU tournament and was unavailable for comment. Her father, Bob Hicks, confirmed his daughter had made her decision early so she could concentrate on the rest of her high school and AAU careers.
``She's looking forward to her senior year,'' Bob Hicks said. ``Second, she wanted to stay close to home. She spoke to several schools and took unofficial visits to James Madison and Appalachian State.''
While the early signing means it never will be known to what extent schools on a big-time level would recruit Hicks, she did hear from over 70 colleges including most of the schools in the Atlantic 10 - Virginia Tech's conference - and the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Hicks, a 6-foot-1 forward-center, was an All-Group AA selection last year. She averaged 22.3 points and 7.6 rebounds a game as the Cavaliers stormed to the Group AA title. Though the biggest part of her game in high school was inside, Hicks had a good touch and was able to shoot 3-pointers with accuracy.
``Within the rules of what Tech could do [recruiting], they saw her twice last [fall] and at summer camp. They want to use her at the No.3 position,'' Bob Hicks said.
Sarah Hicks played at Northside as a freshman before her family moved to Botetourt County. In three years, she has scored 1,192 points.
The commitment helps Lord Botetourt focus on the coming season as all but one member of last year's squad returns including point guard Sara Moore, another Division I recruit who is drawing a lot of attention from area colleges.
``I think this is a good move for Sarah,'' said Lord Botetourt coach David Wheat. ``I'm real happy she could reach a decision this early. I was never a big-time high school athlete, but I can imagine what someone goes through, being recruited and having to play a season.
``I'm sure this will be a burden off her that will permit Sarah to focus on summer activities and her senior year.''
Wheat recalls the day Hicks arrived as a transfer. Since Northside and Lord Botetourt are both members of the Blue Ridge District, he had coached against her.
``I think it was too early for me to see it [her being a Division I recruit],'' said Wheat of Hicks' first year at Botetourt. ``I'm sure some people did. I could see her as a college prospect at some level.
``She's really come on and I think we could see it during the season last year. We were confident then of her being a big-time prospect.''
Sarah Hicks will benefit, according to Wheat, because she'll be doing for his team a lot of the same things Tech has recruited her for - to play the No.3 (small forward) position. Hicks' outside shooting means she can play inside or outside in high school.
``We need her versatility. I think in college, they'll want her to play outside more,'' said Wheat.
Hicks' commitment takes some pressure off Wheat. Several years ago, he had Ashley Moore, starting point guard Sara Moore's older sister, and Jenny Gates on his team and both were recruited by Division I schools. The younger Moore is being courted by several area Division I schools and now will get all the attention this fall from college scouts at the Cavaliers' games.
``I remember when we had Ashley and Jenny,'' Wheat said. ``It will help to have the phone ring only half as much.''
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Hicks.by CNB