THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 3, 1994 TAG: 9411030549
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
Booker T. Washington's five-game trip to Japan, scheduled for the end of December, is in jeopardy.
``We have not had any return correspondence with the Japanese for some time,'' Booker T. Washington boys basketball coach Barry Hamler said this week. ``We've given it every opportunity to work. We thought the Japanese trip was such a cultural exchange that we'd give it every chance to work.''
Hamler was so confident about the trip that he requested a special waiver from the Virginia High School League to expand his team's regular-season schedule to 22 games, one more than the maximum allowed.
The Bookers, according to Hamler, also turned down five tournament invitations, including the prestigious Arby's Classic in Bristol, Tenn., and the Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
``If we don't go to Japan our schedule is cut to 17 games,'' Hamler said. ``We'll work very hard to fill it.''
STAYING WITH THE BOOKERS: Ashley Berry, who scored 26 points in Green Run's 66-65 Eastern Region playoff loss to Ferguson, has transferred to Booker T. Washington. Hints that he would do so surfaced during the summer when Berry played for the Bookers in a high-school summer league.
Hamler isn't saying much.
``Never seen him play,'' said Hamler, who must have averted his eyes whenever Berry had the ball during summer league play. ``Of course, everybody tells me he's a decent player.''
FLYING WITH THE SEAHAWKS: Hoops junkies, mark down these dates - Jan. 10 and Jan. 27.
That's when Atlantic Shores Christian hosts Booker T. Washington and Maury, two of the area's traditional powers.
What's an independent private school doing playing the heavy hitters? In this case, finding equal competition.
The Seahawks have received a huge influx of talent, most notably 6-foot-7, 210-pound forward Damon Thornton. Thornton attended Granby last year but was ineligible.
Granby will get a taste of what it's missing when Atlantic Shores meets the Comets in the Tidewater Classic Dec. 10 at Old Dominion.
``For various reasons, we have nine transfers who have all expressed an interest to play varsity basketball,'' said coach Mark Phelps, who comes over after a successful stint at Teagle Christian.
Other notable transfers include 6-7 junior Kenny Inge from First Colonial and 5-7 senior guard Brandon Wynn from Great Bridge.
While things look rosy for the Seahawks this season, Phelps has been plagued by continuous accusations of recruiting.
``First of all, what defines recruiting?'' Phelps said. ``We will not initiate contact, we haven't called any players up and we don't provide athletic scholarships. We have not recruited these players.''
DORMANT FALL SIGNING: It appears the NCAA's early signing period, which starts Wednesday, will pass without any boys basketball players from South Hampton Roads making commitments.
Local AAU basketball guru Boo Williams is not surprised.
``Of the top 40 players in the country, only seven are qualified under the new NCAA rules,'' Williams said.
The NCAA has increased the number of core classes required for freshman eligibility from 11 to 13 and will use a stiffer sliding scale for college entrance exams, calling for at least a 900 Scholastic Assessment Test score for those with a 2.0 core grade point average and a 700 for those with a 2.5 core GPA.
Look for one of two things in 1995: Either the NCAA eases the requirements at the annual convention in January or lesser players with acceptable grades will start signing Division I grants.
THE RIVER IS DEEP: Indian River coach Freddie Spellman says there's a chance he could keep more freshmen and sophomores than he does juniors and seniors.
The most heralded of those underclassmen is 6-7 freshman Jason Capel, son of ODU men's coach Jeff Capel. Spellman bristles at the hype surrounding Capel.
``He's a 14-year-old kid. He could go out there when practice starts and try to do too much when all he has to do is make the basketball team,'' Spellman said.
Capel could be surrounded by a cast of eye-to-eye teammates. Forward Terry Rouse, a 6-6 junior, is expected to improve upon last year, 6-7 junior Edward Seward, a transfer from Spain, adds interior beef and there are a handful of other 6-5, 6-6 types ready for practice, which begins Nov. 14.
It should all deflect the losses of key guys like Tony Morrison, Percy Slight and Gerald Martin.
Spellman, however, puts the fanaticism that surrounds preseason talk into quick perspective.
``The biggest thing about basketball people is they like to talk it as much as they like to watch it,'' Spellman said. ``But until you start coaching the kids and putting in the defense and the offense, you don't know what you've got.''
THIS 'N THAT: Kempsville could have the tallest frontline in the area with 6-7 senior forward Tyren Johnson joined by newcomers Brian Bersticker, 6-9, and 6-5 McKinley Ford . . . Remember George Irvine from the Virginia Squires? Irvine is now vice president of basketball operations for the Indiana Pacers and his son Jamie is a 6-3 freshman at Cox. by CNB