THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 19, 1996 TAG: 9606190552
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 50 lines
Jason Capel, the Group AAA basketball player of the year this winter at Indian River, is transferring to St. John's at Prospect Hall in Frederick, Md.
Capel, a junior and the son of Old Dominion men's coach Jeff Capel, averaged 21 points, 12 rebounds and five assists in leading the Braves to a 24-5 record and the state semifinals.
St. John's was 21-3 and ranked seventh last season in the USA Today Super 25.
Jason Capel was unavailable for comment and Jeff Capel did not return phone calls.
St. John's coach Stu Vetter said he viewed Jason as simply a gifted athlete whose parents want to put him in the position where he can live up to his potential both athletically and academically.
``Jason is a very versatile player,'' said Vetter. ``He's similar to Dennis Scott, who I coached at Flint Hill Academy. He can play the post and the point.''
Flint Hill played against Indian River and Alonzo Mourning at Scope in December 1987 and Vetter said he'd love to schedule another game in South Hampton Roads in the next two seasons.
Indian River coach Freddie Spellman said he had not heard from the Capels that Jason is leaving.
``There have been rumors of Jason possibly leaving as long as he's been here,'' Spellman said.
Those rumors resurfaced with a vengeance this spring when Spellman began negotiating with holiday tournament directors around the country.
``They usually know what's going on,'' Spellman said. ``Because I didn't know, I called coach Capel. I asked him and he said it was a possibility that Jason might transfer, but nothing was definite.
``When the tournament directors backed off and stopped calling me, I knew the rumor was true.''
Spellman said he was given no reason why Capel is leaving, but he is not bitter.
``It was a decision they had to make as a family about what was best for Jason, and I know it hasn't been easy for him,'' Spellman said. ``It's been a good two years and we'll still have a pretty good team.''
St. John's had three players sign with major Division I schools this spring. Nate James signed with Duke, Woni Mohamed with Clemson and Rico Hines with UCLA. ILLUSTRATION: Jason Capel is transferring to St. John's at Prospect
Hall in Frederick, Md. next season. by CNB