[Buckskin86]

Hairston ponders a pair of Tigers
High school notebook
Date published: 8/7/2008
BY TAFT COGHILL JR.


Josh Hairston already boasted a scholarship offer from NCAA men's basketball champion Kansas.

He's now being courted by the runners-up, too.

Memphis joined a host of other college basketball powers when it recently offered the Courtland High School rising junior basketball star a scholarship.

But unlike Kansas, the Tigers actually have a shot to land the talented 6-foot-8 power forward.

In July, Hairston narrowed his final five choices to Virginia, Virginia Tech, Georgetown, Duke and Ohio State.

But Hairston said yesterday that he wants to visit Memphis and Clemson soon.

Hairston has been a fan of Memphis, particularly former forward Joey Dorsey, since he began following college basketball closely a few years ago.

So when Memphis offered a scholarship, he listened. He began listening closer to Clemson recently as well. Clemson offered a scholarship some time ago, but head coach Oliver Purnell dramatically increased his pursuit when Hairston was taking part in an AAU tournament in Cincinnati last month.

"They're definitely in [the race]," Hairston said of Memphis and Clemson. "I've slid both of those two in there."

Hairston said he plans to announce a college decision in November. He said there is no front-runner for his services, although his mother, Natalie, is a Virginia Tech alum.

"She said she's not, but probably deep down, she's pulling for Tech," Hairston said. "It doesn't have that big of an influence, but it's nice to have a relative who can tell you about a school."

Fredericksburg.com - Hairston ponders a pair of Tigers