THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 17, 1996 TAG: 9608170522
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 38 lines
North Carolina State has tapped its pipeline to Atlantic Shores Christian School again, getting a verbal commitment from All-Tidewater basketball player Kenny Inge.
Inge graduated in June, but failed to meet NCAA academic guidelines for admission. He enrolled at Hargrave Military Academy, beginning with the summer session, and will sign with the Wolfpack in November.
Inge, a 6-foot-8 forward, averaged 18 points, 10.7 rebounds and 4.3 blocks per game for the Seahawks last winter. He follows Atlantic Shores teammate Damon Thornton and coach Mark Phelps to N.C. State.
Thornton, a 6-7 forward, signed with the Wolfpack in May. Phelps left Atlantic Shores shortly afterward to become N.C. State coach Herb Sendek's administrative assistant.
Inge downplayed the role of Thornton and Phelps in his recruitment.
``That was not a big factor,'' he said. ``I talk to Damon a lot, but not about the school. He didn't try to recruit me.''
The decisive factor in his choice was Sendek, who was hired in May to replace Les Robinson.
``He's a good guy and I'm comfortable with him,'' Inge said. ``He was at Hargrave twice as soon as coaches were allowed to recruit on the road and each of his assistants visited there once.''
Inge said he also considered Virginia Tech, Nebraska, Xavier and George Washington. The timing of his announcement was prompted by a flurry of recruiting calls Wednesday seeking visits with him at Hargrave.
``I just decided I didn't want to go through that,'' he said. ``I want to concentrate on my grades.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Kenny Inge by CNB