THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 8, 1996 TAG: 9603070145
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 15 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BILL LEFFLER
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
The 1996 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament apparently is going to be a delight for those who prefer high-scoring games.
The nation's leading 3-point shooter has joined a group of early signees for the April 3-6 tournament that already includes the top two scorers in the country.
James Madison's Darren McLinton, who averages making 4.1 3-pointers per game, has accepted an invitation. McLinton, recently named to the All-Colonial Athletic Association first team, registered 118 3-pointers for a CAA record this season.
McLinton led the CAA in scoring and stands 19th nationally with 22.3 points per game.
Earlier last week PIT officials received acceptances from the 1-2 pointmakers, pacesetter Kevin Granger of Texas Southern and No. 2 scorer J.J. Williams of Hampton University. Granger, a 6-3 guard, has a 28.5 average. The 6-1 Williams is averaging 28.0.
Nine players have confirmed they will play in the 44th annual PIT. These also include Duke's Chris Collins, Mississippi State's Darryl Wilson, Vanderbilt's Frank Seckar, Arizona State's Ryan Raleigh, Iona's Mikkel Larsen and Derek Fisher of Arkansas-Little Rock.
Collins is another outstanding 3-point shooter, the second best in Duke history.
The PIT field will include 64 players, all college seniors.
``From the caliber of the players already in, I believe this is going to be one of the best group of players we have ever had,'' said PIT chairman Mahlon Parker.
``I'm very hopeful that we will get the spectator support the tournament merits. I hope the Churchland gym will be filled.''
The eight-team field will be completed on Friday, March 29 when a drawing party will be held at noon to determine the roster of each team.
First-round games will be at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, Apr. 3-4. The semifinals will be Friday, Apr. 5 at 7 and 9 p.m.
The championship game will be Saturday, Apr. 6 at 7:30 p.m. A third-place game will be at 5:30 p.m. and the consolation championship game will be at 1:30 p.m.
There also will be consolation games at 3:15 p.m. on Apr. 4 and Apr. 5 with admission by donation only.
Tickets are on sale at Willett Hall and TicketMaster. Tickets can be charged by phone (671-8100). Tickets are $6.25 for one night or $20.25 for the four-night tournament.
For ticket information, call 393-5144 or Walt Jernigan at 399-6525. Group sales are being handled by Ken Wren Jr. (446-6827) and John Spence (393-2559). ILLUSTRATION: Photo
JMU's Darren McLinton
Nation's top 3-point shooter
by CNB