Late additions welcome chance when 16 players don't show for PIT

PORTSMOUTH

The teams have names such as Tidewater Sealants and Sales System LTD, but next year the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament might consider dubbing one squad "The Replacements."

Sixteen players failed to show for the annual showcase for college seniors that started Wednesday and concludes Saturday night at Churchland High School. Organizers say it's the largest number of no-shows in the tournament's 56-year history.

Among the missing: Duke's DeMarcus Nelson, Arkansas' Darian Townes and Sonny Weems, Nebraska's Aleks Maric and the Kansas trio of Russell Robinson, Sasha Kaun and Darnell Jackson.

That was good news for 16 other pro wannabes, who got to show off their stuff in front of several dozen professional scouts.

Among the guys who got late call-ups: Niagara's Charron Fisher, the nation's second-leading scorer with a 27.6 average; Drexel's Frank Elegar, Kent State's Haminn Quaintance, Tulane's David Gomez, Fordham's Bryant Dunston and George Mason's Folarin Campbell. Campbell was the last player invited.

PIT chairman Mahlon Parker said while players are often urged by their coaches to participate, as soon as the college season ends, agents who have their own agendas take over the decision-making process.

"The coaches aren't their daddy anymore," he said. "They listen to the agents and we can't do anything about that. But we always know we'll get some who will stand by their commitments."

Stargazing

The stars weren't out in full on the inaugural night of the event, though the NBA box included Larry Bird, Danny Ainge and Kevin McHale. Absent for the first time in more than two decades was the retired Jerry West. L.A. Clippers vice president of basketball operations Elgin Baylor, normally a mainstay, also isn't expected.

Stargazers might catch a glimpse of Patrick Ewing, recently named to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Patrick Ewing, Jr. is on Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, which plays at 7 tonight. Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl is expected to be in the stands to watch Volunteer seniors Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith. Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg was on hand on Wednesday, eyeing his senior, Deron Washington.

The dream continues

Ten days after Davidson's NCAA run to the regional final, Wildcats point guard Jason Richards was vying at the PIT to make his pro dream come true. Still on a cloud after the experience, Richards said, "We got back at 3 o'clock in the morning and there were hundreds of people waiting for us. I couldn't have dreamt that dream."

Making an impression

St. Joseph's Pat Calathes produced the lone double-double of the first game with 16 points and 10 rebounds to go with four assists and one block for Tidewater Sealants. The Hawks forward, humble about his evening, promised he was simply trying to do the little things well.

"We came in and played well as a team," said Calathes, 7 of 9 from the field. "We meshed well. No one person took a bunch of shots. Hopefully we'll find ourselves in Saturday's championship."

George Mason's Will Thomas scored a game-high 17, 1 of 4 players in double figures for Holiday Inn. New Orleans' Bo McCalebb, with 10 points, was another. McCalebb had offers from several big-time schools, but chose to remain in his hometown. Despite enduring three coaches in four years at that program, he has no regrets.

"I wanted to stay close to my mom because she had a heart condition," said McCalebb, who added: "I played all right tonight, but I wish we had won the game."

Upstairs, downstairs

Temple's Mark Tyndale finished with 11 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and one heckuva hurdle, playing for Tidewater Sealants. Tyndale leapt over the press table to save a ball from going out of bounds and ended up in the stands - in the ninth row.