THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 25, 1996 TAG: 9601230098
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY VICKI L. FRIEDMAN, COMPASS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR DeWayne Jacobs found himself headed in the wrong direction twice in the last four years.
The first time, it was an issue of respect. The second, it involved the notion of transferring. And both times he gives Booker T. Washington basketball the assist for setting him straight.
And this spring, more than 1,000 points and two coaches later, the 6-foot-4 Jacobs will graduate from high school and be the first male in his family to attend college.
Jacobs, a four-year starter for the Bookers who plays guard and forward, grew up throwing passes, not shooting hoops. Before high school, his on-court experience was limited to a summer of recreational ball and middle school jayvee. But as he grew taller, basketball became the obvious choice. Only first he had a few things to learn from former Booker T. coach Barry Hamler.
``I learned a lot from him, leadership, respect people on and off the floor,'' Jacobs said. ``I had a quick temper and he talked to me and I took that to heart.''
Hamler, now basketball head coach at Elizabeth City State University, admits he always has had a soft spot for Jacobs.
``I think he is definitely one of those inner-city youths who was looking for guidance,'' he said. ``He's fought off the pitfalls. . . . He's kept his head about him and will be one of those few athletes who will use basketball to get a good education.''
Jacobs loved playing for Hamler. The Bookers traveled to Alaska for the Great Alaska High School Classic his freshman year, somewhere Jacobs never dreamed of visiting. The players, he says, were treated as if they were from the NBA, signing autographs and drawing crowds wherever they went. That made the trip memorable in addition to some other oddities. For instance:
``The first night we went to bed early and the next morning, I got up and drew the blinds,'' he said ``There was a moose staring outside our window.''
Hamler's trademark was his run-and-gun fastbreak style and that suited Jacobs, who loves to score and is averaging 16.8 points a game. Last year he heard the rumors that Hamler was considering another job at Elizabeth City.
``I was kind of mad because I kept asking him if he was going to leave,'' said Jacobs, a first-team, all-district selection last season. ``He's like `I'm not going anyplace.' So I didn't worry about it anymore. Then I opened up the paper the next morning and saw `Coach Hamler accepts the job in Elizabeth City.' ''
Jacobs thought about transferring to Maury. He spoke with Booker T.'s new coach, Jarrell Wilkerson, whom he knew from Lake Taylor, and thought about leaving again. But his allegiance to Booker T. on-court and off changed his mind. He was reminded of his decision a few weeks ago when Maury, the Eastern District's top team, beat the Bookers by four.
``I'm glad I stayed,'' he says. ``The fans, they would have really been riding me.''
He also enjoys the teachers and the friendliness the school offers. Like many Booker T. students, he is part of the high school mentorship program that allows him to work with students from Jacox Elementary. In December he was among the athletes who went to Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters to pass out gifts. All that, he decided, was worth sticking around for.
On court, Jacobs - whose favorite shot is the dunk - is still adapting to the slower offensive style of Wilkerson. ``He's learning how to get his shots within the confines of this offense,'' Wilkerson said. ``I think he's adjusting well. It's a learning process.''
As for the 1,000 points he has amassed in four years, Jacobs has been aware of that prospect since his sophomore year. The career of former Booker T. player Michael Evans inspired him to try for similar numbers. The magic night came two weeks ago against Norcom. Jacobs' 34-point effort put him over the 1,000-mark plateau.
``After each game I'd keep a sheet of paper and write down what I scored,'' he said. ``Sometimes I think I'd be slipping in some points, and I'd go back and add it up.''
College prospects include Virginia Tech and Winthrop University, and he plans to major in psychology.
But Hamler has extended another invitation, should Jacobs be inclined.
``If he wants to come to ECSU,'' Hamler said, ``he's got a place.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
DeWayne Jacobs has scored more than 1,000 points in his basketball
career at Booker T. Washington.
by CNB