THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 26, 1996 TAG: 9605250151
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: 38 lines
WILSON TWO-SPORT standout Perez Bottoms has accepted a grant package from Christopher Newport University.
The All-Southeastern District basketball player will be joining another Portsmouth member of the Christopher Newport basketball team, Mike Holland of Churchland.
Bottoms, who was picked as the outstanding high school basketball player in Portsmouth schools the past season, has met academic eligibility requirements with his 2.7 grade point average and SAT score.
A 6-foot-1, 160-pound guard, Bottoms carried a 20.3 scoring average for the Presidents.
``Some of the bigger schools, such as Norfolk State and Hampton, had shown an interest in Perez,'' said Wilson coach Terence Green. ``I'm sure it was his lack of height that kept him from a major scholarship.
``I think Bottoms is a Division I college player myself and I know he will do well at Christopher Newport. It's my understanding that he will be the first off the bench as a freshman and will be helping the team right away. He will be an excellent shooting guard.''
Bottoms was the second leading scorer in the Southeastern District behind Jason Capel of Indian River. He scored in double figures every game.
``I made two visits to Christopher Newport,'' Bottoms said. ``One official and one unofficial. I like the school very much.''
Bottoms did not run track this year, electing to concentrate on basketball. He was among the district's top cross-country runners and was third in the Southeastern outdoor meet last year in the 800-meters.
He will not run track at Christopher Newport. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
Perez Bottoms, who was picked as the outstanding high school
basketball player in Portsmouth schools the past season, will attend
Christopher Newport University. by CNB