THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 2, 1995 TAG: 9503310249
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
Fans in the stands.
That's the true measuring stick for determining how good the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament really is.
And that could mean the 1995 PIT, which gets under way Wednesday night at Churchland High School, might be the best ever.
Tournament officials have their fingers crossed that the four-night tournament is going to set an all-time attendance record, attracting the most viewers in its 43-year history.
A paid audience of slightly more than 10,700 two years ago was the largest ever.
But a substantial advance sale and sponsorship of businesses for a portion of the tickets the first three nights this year indicate that that record will be surpassed.
``We may not get them, but we're hoping for sellouts a couple of nights,'' said PIT chairman Mahlon Parker. Parker is hopeful that attendance will reach 12,000.
Since the tournament was moved to the larger Churchland gym, there has been no full house. The smaller Wilson gym drew turnaway crowds on several occasions.
For the first time, the PIT has secured game sponsors the first three nights. Sasser Construction will be the Wednesday night sponsor, Virginia Power will sponsor the Thursday games and Met Life will be the Friday sponsor.
These sponsors are paying the same fees as team sponsors.
The 64-player field this year could be the most talented ever. Fifty-five of the players were all-conference selections. Ten were players of the year in their conferences.
Nearly 150 scouts from the National Basketball Association and other pro leagues have made reservations to attend.
PIT CALENDAR THIS WEEK
Wednesday - Opening round games at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Thursday - First-night losers vie at 3:15 p.m; final opening round games at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Friday - Celebrity Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. at Holiday Inn-Portside, headlined by Vancouver Grizzlies general manager Stu Jackson; Thursday losers vie at 3:15 p.m.; semifinal games at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Saturday - Consolation championship at 1:30 p.m.; third-place game at 5:30 p.m.; championship game at 7:30 p.m.
Admission to consolation games is by donation. Evening admission is $6. Special group tickets available (call 393-5144 or 488-6761). ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Corey Beck, Arkansas
Jim Potter, Idaho State
Petey Sessoms, ODU
by CNB