THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 10, 1996 TAG: 9604100491
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
Cape Henry Collegiate will experience a rare brush with big-time college athletics today when two of its basketball players sign Division I grants-in-aid.
Kinte Smith, a 6-3 guard, said Tuesday he will sign with Atlantic 10 member George Washington University. Chris DiNunzio, a 6-9 center, previously committed to VMI.
Smith, a 6-3 guard, was a first-team Virginia Independent Schools all-state pick. He averaged 23 points, 12.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game.
George Washington was a late entrant in a quiet recruiting battle for Smith, whose only offer last fall was from Towson State. A George Washington assistant coach scouted Smith against Atlantic Shores and Smith took his official visit when the Colonials played La Salle.
George Washington was the only team to beat Massachusetts in the regular-season and also beat then-No. 8 Virginia Tech. The Colonials lost to Iowa in the first-round of the NCAA tournament.
Smith said Georgia wanted him to make a visit, but he had already orally committed to George Washington.
Smith and DiNunzio each played at First Colonial before transferring. Smith enrolled briefly at Ocean Lakes after being redistricted, but said he didn't feel comfortable.
DiNunzio, who had already enrolled at Cape Henry, helped recruit Smith for the Dolphins and they each received an extra year of high school eligibility.
``This has always been our goal and Cape Henry gave up the chance,'' DiNunzio said. ``At the time we would have graduated we wouldn't have been prepared.''
It's a huge leap from the Tidewater Conference to the Atlantic 10, but Smith is undaunted.
``The competition in high school didn't really matter,'' he said. ``I have the skills to play at (George Washington). They are losing their starter at shooting guard and that's my position.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Kinte Smith
by CNB