THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, August 5, 1996 TAG: 9608050123
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 60 lines
Shorter games and better defense are what the organizers of the Hampton Roads Pro-Am wanted this year. For the most part, the goals were achieved.
The Pro-Am cut the length of games from 48 to 40 minutes this season to add defensive intensity to the contests. Director Wayne Hoffler figured more energized bodies would put an end to the 300-point games and random individual 50-point performances.
``I saw when teams were averaging 160 and 170 points and now teams are barely getting 100,'' A&G Imports forward Clinton Wright said.
This year, no team reached 150 points and the season-high for an individual was Joe Bunn's 48 points in Team Souza's quarterfinal game Wednesday. Allen Iverson scored 52 in last year's championship game and holds the record with 81.
But while the scoring was down, not all games were restricted to 40 minutes.
A&G defeated Souza and Kershner & Hawkins in consecutive double overtime games to win the championship this weekend.
In addition to the shorter games, the emphasis on bringing in younger and better-conditioned athletes has created more competitive games.
Rosters were littered with recent high school graduates Chris Dinunzio, Marseilles Brown, Kenny Inge and Damon Thornton, who youthfully sparked the games and crowds.
On the opening weekend, North Carolina State recruit Thornton broke the backboard after going up for a dunk.
``The publicity that it will generate for him and N.C. State,'' Hoffler said of the Atlantic Shores graduate. ``It just sort of adds to the legendary status of the league.''
One area of significant concern for Hoffler going into next season is the women's division.
The women had six teams compared to eight for the men. And in its third year, the women generally had more problems fielding a complete team for a game. Teams usually played with seven or eight players and some women also played consecutive weekend games.
``With the pro league inceptions coming up, we should be developing talent for those two leagues,'' Hoffler said.
Two new women's leagues - the American Basketball League and Women's NBA - are set to start in the next year.
The concern for the women's division is creating greater interest and sponsorship in the area.
``People always sponsor men's sports before they will women's,'' Techon guard Misty Hart said.
Attendance this season also raised a few eyebrows.
The opening night featuring Joe Smith and Saturday's championship game combined for less than the 1,500 people who attended last year's title game between Smith and Iverson.
The Midsummer Classic in Hampton featuring Smith, Iverson, Cory Alexander and Junior Burrough drew a crowd of 7,000. Even though Smith played a few weekends, Hoffler believes the lack of big names on a consistent basis hurt Lake Taylor. However, not everyone is as concerned.
``When I'm playing, that's what I am doing. I don't know who's in the stands until the game is over,'' said Wright, a 1991 graduate of Norfolk State. ``My main objective is to play basketball.'' by CNB