THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 13, 1995 TAG: 9512130512
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
South Hampton Roads will get a taste of big-time high school basketball served up New York, New Orleans and Philadelphia style when the sixth annual Tidewater Classic tips off Thursday at Booker T. Washington.
The three-day event features 14 teams and finishes Saturday with a seven-game extravaganza at Norfolk State University.
Two of the high-profile programs in the field are Philadelphia's Simon Gratz High and New Orlean's St. Augustine's.
St. Augustine's is coming off a 37-1 season in which it was ranked No. 1 in the final USA Today Super 25. The Purple Knights boast the Classic's top player, Eugene Edgerson, a 6-7 forward, who has signed with Arizona.
St. Augustine's plays Petersburg Friday night at 9 and Paul Robeson of New York Saturday night at 9.
Simon Gratz was ranked No. 1 in the nation three years ago when it featured Rasheed Wallace and could be headed back to the Top 10. Gratz beat the defending AAAA Pennsylvania champions last week.
Gratz plays Tallwood Friday night at 7:30 and Bayside Saturday night at 7:30.
Other area teams participating are Booker T. Washington, Green Run, Nansemond River, Lakeland and Franklin.
A look at the teams from beyond South Hampton Roads:
ST. AUGUSTINE'S
Location: New Orleans
Record: 9-2
Top players: Eugene Edgerson, 6-7 forward; Travis Blackwell, 6-4 guard/forward; Lee Love, 6-foot guard; Kendall Regis, 6-9 center.
The scoop: Graduated four starters from 37-1 team that finished No. 1 in the USA Today Super 25. ... Prefers a fast tempo. ``We'll start pressing at the airport,'' coach Bernard Griffith says.
SIMON GRATZ
Location: Philadelphia
Record: 4-1
Top players: Marvin O'Connor, 6-3 guard; Jarett Kearse, 6-5 guard; Arthur Dorsey, 6-7 forward; Perry DiVirgilio, 6-7 forward.
The scoop: Defeated USA Today No. 18 Blackhawk, Pa., in finals of Latrobe, Pa., Invitational. ... Played in seven consecutive city championship games, winning four. ... O'Connor and Kearse average 36 points per game between them.
PAUL ROBESON
Location: New York City
Record: 2-3
Top players: Shamel Jones, 6-8 forward; Allen Griffin, 6-1 guard; Kenyatta Brown, 6-3 guard; Eric Williams, 6-9 center.
The scoop: Already played in San Antonio this season. ... Jones is averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds and has drawn recruiting interest from Georgetown, Connecticut, Kentucky and Louisville.
CHRISTIAN LIFE
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Record: 7-5
Top players: Desmond Williams, 6-4 guard/forward; Donald Moseby, 6-4 forward; Earl Thomas, 5-8 guard; Derick Jones, 6-1 guard.
The scoop: Williams is the top talent and has received recruiting interest from Georgetown, Tennessee and SMU. He was injured playing football and has appeared in only two games. ... Moseby is aveaging 22 points and 14 rebounds per game.
WOODBRIDGE
Location: Woodbridge, Va.
Record: 1-0 (played Tuesday night)
Top players: Aaron Demery, 6-3 forward; Ahmad Dorsett, 6-2 guard; Tim Fuller, 6-4 guard/forward; Justin Dudley, 6-5 forward/center.
The scoop: Won 20 or more games four consecutive seasons. ... Four players made two 3-pointers each in opening win. ... Known for man-to-man pressure defense.
PETERSBURG
Location: Petersburg, Va.
Record: 2-2
Top players: Bernard Johnson, 6-1 guard; Broan Banks, 6-8 center.
The scoop: Four starters return from team that was upset in Central Region semifinals. ... Banks, a project, has signed with Hampton University. ... Johnson is the leading scorer at 17.8 points per game.
NORTHEASTERN
Location: Elizabeth City, N.C.
Record: 1-1
Top players: Roronzee Hinton, 6-2 forward; John Helms, 6-1 forward; Steve Christian, 5-10 guard.
The scoop: Hinton is the go-to guy and had 17 points, 12 rebounds in only win. ... Athletic team with solid point guard in Christian, but no one taller than 6-4. ... Lost to Granby in season opener. by CNB