Joey Higginbotham's first order of business as the new men's basketball coach at Mount Olive (N.C.) College is a difficult one. "I've got to replace myself," Higginbotham joked Friday.

Lonnie Blow, Jr., an assistant basketball coach at Norfolk State, is leaving to become the head coach at St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh, a Division II school.

Blow, 48, spent the past two seasons working under former Spartans coach Dwight Freeman and current coach Anthony Evans.

The idea was hatched in Jeff Bourne’s kitchen nearly three years ago. The James Madison athletic director had just come home from work, exasperated after spending hours trying to resolve a scheduling problem. “You can’t believe what I have spent my entire day doing,” Bourne told his wife, Mary Lou, the director of technology transfer at JMU.

Jim Corrigan desperately wants you to call. He needs a date. Old Dominion’s assistant basketball coach is hoping to find that perfect match. Just pick up the phone and dial his number, text him, send an e-mail. Whatever. Right there, in cyberspace, is Corrigan’s personal plea, but he’s not looking for romance.

Georgetown forward Vernon Macklin, the Portsmouth native who starred at Norcom High and went on to become a high school All-American, is transferring after two quiet seasons with the Hoyas, the school announced Thursday.

NORFOLK While his name is mentioned in almost every story concerning Stanford's search for a basketball coach, Blaine Taylor is pressing ahead with his biennial habit of reworking his contract with Old Dominion University.

DES MOINES, Iowa Mark Phelps, who grew up in Virginia Beach and began his basketball coaching career there, was named head coach at Drake University on Monday. Phelps, a graduate of Kempsville High and Old Dominion University, replaces Keno Davis, who last week accepted the head coaching position at Providence.

Travis DeCuire, an Old Dominion assistant the past five seasons, has resigned to take a similar post at California. DeCuire leaves as ODU coach Blaine Taylor is being mentioned a candidate for the vacant Stanford job. Taylor was a Cardinal assistant under Mike Montgomery, who recently became Cal's coach. Taylor coached DeCuire at Montana.

A member of Old Dominion men’s basketball staff is headed west.

Travis DeCuire, an ODU assistant for the past five seasons, has resigned to take a similar post at California.

DeCuire leaves ODU after five seasons as Monarchs head coach Blaine Taylor is being mentioned a possible candidate for the vacant Stanford job.

PORTSMOUTH Mark Tyndale said he was thrilled to accept the Allen Iverson Inspirational Award for his performance in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. He just had one question. “What do they give this for?” the Temple forward asked. Told it was to recognize the event’s most determined, intense player, Tyndale smiled.