THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 15, 1996 TAG: 9608140123
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: PAUL WHITE
LENGTH: 48 lines
The item was No. 1 on Howard Frier's list of things to do when he returned from the University of Colorado last month, and it wasn't soaking up the Suffolk scene, hanging with the fellas or even burning up the court at the Birdsong Recreation Center.
Oh, he wanted to do those things too. But the rising senior's main interest was in putting his basketball talent to use in a free clinic, allowing local youth to see first-hand that, with the right combination of work ethic and commitment, it is indeed possible to go from local star to projected starter for a major college program.
``I'd really like to get with some of the guys and do something like that,'' the former Nansemond River guard said. ``That'd be our way of giving something back.''
This week, Frier got his wish. The area's top basketball stars of recent times - Tony Smith, Derrick Bryant and Phil Crocker among them - combined with the Suffolk Parks and Recreation Department and the SPOR-AC Summer Youth Program to provide a series of free, four-hour clinics for about 70 children at Lakeland High School.
For three days last week, the Cavaliers gym was full of people with boundless enthusiasm, fierce determination and a strong desire to soak up every bit of the basketball atmosphere.
The kids got a lot out of it, too. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MICHAEL KESTNER
Howard Frier, a Nansemond River graduate and University of Colorado
player, holds the ball just out of the reach of a participant in the
free basketball clinic at Lakeland High School.
Derrick Bryant demonstrates a one-handed toss to the goal. Bryant
plays for Norfolk State.
Shari Stagg shoots the ball from the court in Lakeland High's gym
Monday during the clinic.
Tony Smith, who starred for Suffolk High and North Carolina and also
played professionally, talks with another volunteer at the clinic,
which about 70 children attended. by CNB