THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 4, 1994 TAG: 9411020155
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Bill Leffler
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
PORTSMOUTH'S PETEY SESSOMS, preparing for his fourth and final basketball season at Old Dominion University, believes this is the best ODU team he has played on.
The former Cradock High School star is confident the Monarchs will qualify for the post-season NCAA Tournament. But he says it's going to take a lot of hard work and he's hoping to be a leader in that regard.
``This is my senior year and that makes it very important to me,'' said the 6-7, 190-pound forward shortly after he sparked the White team to a 78-67 victory over the Blue in the annual intrasquad game Saturday at the ODU field house.
``When I came in as a freshman we qualified for the NCAA Tournament. My No. 1 goal is for us to qualify this year,'' said Sessoms, who pitched in 26 points in the scrimmage session.
Sessoms was the dominant player on the court in the first half. He had 18 points and grabbed six rebounds.
``I see my role as a leader this year,'' he said. ``I want to be a role model for the younger players.
``I want to handle the ball more this season and do more driving to the basket.
``I don't have any individual goals, such as scoring more points. If I work hard every game I'll get my points.
``I think we have a lot of talented players and this year Mario Mullen is healthy. Mario is really going to help us. Did you see he even made a 3-pointer in the scrimmage?''
Sessoms says, ``The team is coming along but we still have a little way to go.''
Last year ODU was 21-10 and a tougher schedule could make a comparable record hard to match. But most observers are predicting a Colonial Athletic Association title for the Monarchs. The Sporting News has tabbed ODU as the No. 51 team in the nation. Street and Smith magazine picks the Monarchs as the No. 25 team.
A year ago Sessoms averaged 16 points per game, 5.6 rebounds and was an 82.3 free throw shooter. By penetrating more this season, he is looking to boost his appearances at the free throw line.
Last year he had a 41.9 average in 3-pointers. He connected on 3 of 9 Saturday, two rimming out.
Sessoms should be among an elite group of ODU players who have scored 1,500 points in their careers. He scored 271 as a freshman, 489 as a soph and 495 last year. He starts the season at 1,255.
At Cradock Sessoms set all-time scoring and rebounding records. He finished with 1,947 points and 989 rebounds. The records will stand forever because Cradock has closed its doors.
Only Indian River's Alonzo Mourning and Norcom's Barry Wright stand ahead of Sessoms on the all-time Southeastern District scoring list.
Sessoms also can look for an invitation to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament in April.
``I would say he definitely will be invited if he continues playing the way he has been playing,'' said Yale Dolsey, co-chairman of the PIT selection committee. ``He's a quality player.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
Petey Sessoms shoots in a preseason game at Old Dominion
University.
by CNB