THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 23, 1995 TAG: 9508230633
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
With a team that features Doug Overton of the Washington Bullets, Minnesota draft pick Jerome Allen, and ex-NBA players Paul ``Snoop'' Graham and Tim Legler, Brian Towson of Brian's Seafood feels pretty good about his team's chances in the national Pro-Am invitational tournament Thursday through Sunday.
``I definitely believe we're going to be strong,'' Towson said from Philadelphia, where his team won the Delaware Valley Pro-Am title. ``We're looking to come down there and win it.''
So believe 11 other teams from six other cites, as well as a squad from the U.S. military. All will be in town this weekend for the four-day tournament at Lake Taylor and Booker T. Washington high schools sponsored by the Hampton Roads Pro-Am basketball league.
``I don't think Hampton Roads has ever seen anything like this before,'' said Wayne Hoffler, commissioner of the Hampton Roads Pro-Am.
The local Pro-Am recently finished its fourth season, a summer highlighted by several head-to-head meetings between NBA number one draft pick Joe Smith and Georgetown phenom Allen Iverson.
Now, Hoffler and his staff are bringing to town an assortment of ex-pros, former college stars and playground legends from across the country.
``I wish I could just sit back and watch,'' Hoffler said. ``This ought to be fun.''
Teams from Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Maryland, New York, Philadelphia and Seattle are scheduled to attend. New York and Philadelphia are bringing two teams, and there will be two from Hampton Roads. The U.S. military also is entering a team.
One New York entry is said to include former Iona stars Steve Burtt and Derek Canada, as well as ex-Georgetown and Texas A&M star David Edwards. The other features former St. John's star Lamont Middleton and former Rhode Island standout Abdul Fox.
Maryland's entry features former ODU star Ricardo Leonard, and former Georgetown players Robert Churchwell and Lamont Morgan. Rosters for other teams were unavailable Tuesday evening.
As for the local teams, one will be led by former Norfolk State stars Darren Sanderlin and Clint Wright, as well as former Hampton star Greg Ford. The other will feature former Booker T. Washington star Michael Evans and other local Pro-Am regulars.
Play begins Thursday, with games at 4:30, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. at Lake Taylor and Booker T. It continues Friday and Saturday, with the title game set for noon Sunday at Lake Taylor. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for students and $1 for children under 12. by CNB