THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 2, 1995 TAG: 9502020460
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
Butler Community College running back Greg Melvin, a former Bayside High star who had insisted for the past two years he would attend Virginia Tech, made it official by signing a letter of intent with the Hokies Wednesday, the first day of the national signing period.
Melvin was the Group AAA player of the year in 1992, when he rushed for more than 1,900 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Thirteen area high school players also signed letters of intent Wednesday, including a pair of Kempsville players who hadn't announced their intentions.
Jarvis George, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound All-Beach District defensive back for the Chiefs, and Donald Scott, Kempsville's 6-3, 225-pound All-Tidewater defensive lineman, each signed Wednesday with Division I-AA Howard.
Eleven other players made good on prior verbal commitments, including four who will attend Hampton. The new Crabbers: All-Tidewater lineman Shawn Greene of Indian River, All-Tidewater defensive back Rudy Howard of Norcom, lineman Basley Carlisle of Norview and linebacker John Vann of Tallwood.
No signings were announced from Norfolk State. Spartans head coach Darnell Moore says he has commitments from 24 players and plans to release a list early next week when all the letters arrive.
Hargrave Military Academy's Tory Batten, previously of Smithfield, had also verbally committed to Hampton. But he decided not to sign Wednesday, a Hargrave spokesman said. He added that Batten might sign later this week.
Booker T. Washington quarterback/defensive back Mike Beverly made official Wednesday his decision to attend William and Mary. Another Eastern District player, Norview running back Wayne Bacon, signed with James Madison.
North Carolina State received letters of intent from offensive tackle/defensive end John Rawls of Southampton and linebacker Bobbie Cotten of Hargrave Military Academy, by way of Windsor High.
Also from Hargrave, Clay Perry, formerly of Tallwood, signed with Delaware State.
Two ACC schools received letters from a pair of Western Branch players. Wingback/defensive back Dre Bly signed with North Carolina, while offensive lineman Todd Hollowell signed with Wake Forest.
Several other top area players remained undecided as of Wednesday. Green Run quarterback Glenwood Ferebee plans to visit Virginia State this weekend and may also visit James Madison and Norfolk State.
Also this weekend, Kempsville running back Mike Pishioneri will visit the Air Force Academy. Pishioneri, the All-Tidewater player of the year, is also considering Princeton and Yale, among others.
Booker T. Washington running back Michael Basnight will visit the University of Pittsburgh next week. And Indian River tight end Jeremy Bridges, who at one time appeared set to attend James Madison, is now in a holding pattern while the Dukes' new coaching staff determines whether they're still interested. MEMO: State signings list/A5
ILLUSTRATION: Kempsville's Donald Scott, left, and Jarvis George, signed their
letters Wednesday to attend Division I-AA Howard.
AREA SIGNINGS
[For a copy of the list, see microfilm for this date.]
by CNB