THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 18, 1994 TAG: 9408180691
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ABE GOLDBLATT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
Virginia Wesleyan has landed 11 basketball recruits, including four local products.
``We're bringing in the largest class since I've been at Virginia Wesleyan,'' said men's coach Terry Butterfield. ``The group has a little bit of everything - big kids and promising guard prospects. I'm especially pleased because we've been able to sign some local kids.''
The Marlins have only one returning senior (guard David Cohen) from last year's 11-14 team, which finished fourth in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference race.
``We're starting all over with a fine group, and I'm excited about it,'' Butterfield said.''
The newcomers:
Brad McMurran: The 5-foot-8 point guard from Norfolk Collegiate led the state's private schools in 3-point shooting at 45 percent. He was named first-team All-TCIS.
Phil Towe: The 6-5 junior forward is transfering from Lee College in Tennessee, where he wasn't a starter his first season and didn't play last year. Towe was an All-Metro Conference selection in 1991-92 at Greenbrier Christian, where he scored 1,417 points in three seasons.
Sean Blackwell: The 6-8, 230-pound center from Manor High in Portsmouth did not play varsity basketball in high school but played well in the Hampton Roads Pro-Am League this summer.
Lawrence Mathews: The 6-5 forward was a second-team All-Southeastern Conference selection his junior year at Great Bridge, but chronic ankle problems sidelined him last season.
Gene Pleyo: The 6-1 guard is a transfer from Anne Arundel Community College, where where he averaged 22 points and was named to Maryland's All-Junior College team.
Russell DeMont: A 6-8 center, he averaged 15 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots at Westminster (Md.) High School.
Ryan Braford: The 6-5 wing guard averaged 15 points and six rebounds at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. He was second-team all-state at Bangor (Maine) High, which won the state championship in 1992-93.
Greg Murray: The 6-4 wing guard from Cherry Hill West High School was a second-team Group IV All-South Jersey pick in 1992-93. His father was his high school coach.
Larry Johnson: The 6-6 forward from London Valley (Va.) High School averaged 13 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots, and was named to the All-Great Valley Conference first team.
Vic DelPino: The 6-5 forward from Good Counsel High School in Washington, D.C., was a second-team All-Metro Conference selection last season, when he averaged 11 points and seven rebounds.
Newman Rochester:The 6-4 forward was most valuable player on his Parsippany (N.J.) High School squad. by CNB