Tech, U.Va. signees shine in D.C.

WASHINGTON -- The on-court chemistry between Erick Green and Tristan Spurlock was impossible to miss Thursday night at American University's Bender Arena.

Here was Spurlock feeding Green for a midrange jump shot. There was Green lobbing an alley-oop pass to Spurlock for a behind-the-head dunk. Ninety seconds later, there was Green stealing the ball and passing ahead to Spurlock for a breakaway slam.

They clearly enjoyed playing together at the 36th annual Capital Classic. Too bad Green and Spurlock are likely to be rivals for the next four seasons.

Green, a 6-4 point guard from Winchester, signed with Virginia Tech in November. Spurlock, a 6-8 forward from Woodbridge, signed with the University of Virginia.

"I told him he couldn't talk to me for long, because the cameras might see us," Spurlock, a senior at Word of Life Christian Academy, said with a smile after he and Green helped the Capital All-Stars whip the U.S. All-Stars 129-98.

"We were just out there having fun," said Green, who attends Paul VI Catholic High. "I didn't know he could jump that high."

The U.S. All-Stars included Petersburg High's Cadarian Raines, a 6-9, 220-pound senior who'll join Green at Tech. In 19 minutes, Raines contributed nine points, two rebounds, one blocked shot and one steal. He was only 1 for 4 from the line but made 4 of 7 attempts from the floor.

"I can't wait to play with him next year," Green said.

For his part, Green totaled 10 points (on 5-for-7 shooting), three assists, three rebounds and a game-high four steals in only 16 minutes.

"That's my specialty," said Green, who as a junior helped Millbrook High win the state Group AA title. "I love to play defense."

During one first-half sequence, Green swiped the ball from an opponent and dribbled in for a layup, only to see Raines answer with an emphatic dunk.

"I think I did pretty good out there," Raines said.

Spurlock left AU in high spirits, too. At another all-star game, the Charm City Challenge in Towson, Md., he'd struggled last weekend, making only 2 of 11 shots from the floor. In the Capital Classic, Spurlock was 5 for 10. He was 4 for 6 from the line and also had four assists, three rebounds and two steals.

"It felt great," said Spurlock, who was named to the all-tournament team. "Charm City felt like the hoop was as small as my fist. I couldn't get anything to drop."

Spurlock's official visit to U.Va. began yesterday, and there's much at stake for new coach Tony Bennett. Spurlock signed to play for Dave Leitao, who resigned under pressure last month, and Spurlock needs to be convinced that Virginia is still a good fit for him.

By Tuesday, Spurlock expects to have decided whether he's sticking with U.Va. or opening his recruitment back up. He likes what he's seen of Bennett, who visited the Spurlock family April 2 in Woodbridge, but has questions about U.Va.'s new offense.

Raines' teammates Thursday night included another player who's had an eventful recruitment. Lamont "MoMo" Jones, a guard from Oak Hill Academy, orally committed to Virginia Tech during the season. Jones didn't sign a letter of intent, however, and he's now looking at other schools, including Southern California, Maryland, UCLA and Memphis.

Tech is "a great program," Jones said after scoring 18 points in the Capital Classic. "Don't get me wrong. Coach [Seth] Greenberg is a great coach. They have great players. Malcolm Delaney is a great player, but I have to do what's best for me. I can't do it because it's best for the coach or it's best for the players. I have to do it because it's best for me."

Contact Jeff White at (804) 649-6838 or .