The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Wednesday, April 12, 1995              TAG: 9504120588
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: C5   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: Rich Radford 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   42 lines

PLAYER OF YEAR HOBSON COMMITS TO HAGERSTOWN JUNIOR COLLEGE

Tidewater player of the year Shawn Hobson announced Tuesday that he has signed a letter-of-intent with Hagerstown (Md.) Junior College.

Hobson, a 6-foot-5 guard/forward, averaged 22.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 4.3 steals per game for Granby last season. The junior college signing period began Saturday. The NCAA Division I and II signing period begins today.

Hobson, who was also a first-team Group AAA all-state selection, is expected to be joined at Hagerstown by two other Virginia all-state players: Kecoughtan 6-3 guard Brett Harper and James Monroe 6-7 forward Percy White.

Hagerstown was 28-5 last season and ranked No. 14 in the country among junior colleges.

``It's a great atmosphere,'' said Hobson, who aspires to play at the University of Maryland after he finishes junior college. ``I can see this team going to the national championships and possibly winning it.

``Sure, I was a little disappointed about having to go to junior college. But I'm looking at it as a positive. It's just another route to where I want to go.''

In other signing news, Deep Creek's Mike Harrington said he will sign today with Division II St. Augustine's. The 6-1 guard averaged 13.6 points a game for the Hornets this season.

``There were other schools showing some interest,'' said Harrington, who qualifies academically for freshman eligibility. ``But everyone else was waiting and St. Augustine's was ready to jump.''

Also, Bayside's 6-8 center Marcus Riddick is pursuing the prep school route and will visit Fork Union Military Academy this week.

``Marcus has several offers to sign immediately,'' Bayside coach Ron Jenkins said. ``But he didn't play organized basketball until the 10th grade and we feel another year prepping would help him physically.'' by CNB