VCU tops VUU in hoops exhibition

B.A. Walker was feeling it from long range -- five for nine on three-pointers -- as he scored a game-high 22 points in leading the VCU Rams to a exhibition game victory over the Virginia Union Panthers at the Siegel Center: VCU 77, Union 56.

Although the Rams shot at a 52 percent clip, it was their trapping defense that was the deciding factor in the contest, as they forced the Panthers to turn the ball over 27 times. For what it’s worth, VCU looked more intense and better prepared tonight that it did in last week’s exhibition against Virginia State.

VCU’s new head coach Anthony Grant announced earlier today that four high school seniors have signed early National Letters of Intent to play their college ball at the Siegel Center next year. All four are playing their senior years at high schools in the state of Florida. They are:

• Myk Brown, 6-4, 200, averaged 14 points per game and 8.5 rebounds per contest as a junior. He made the third team all-state team.
• Lance Kearse, 6-6, 225, averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds as a junior. He was named first team all-state.
• Joey Rodriguez, 5-11, 160, averaged 13 points as a junior with 3.5 rebounds and 10.2 assists, which led the state of Florida. He was named to the second team all-state.
• Larry Sanders, 6-9, 210, averaged 13 points and 11 rebounds last season. He was second team all-state.

Last season Grant was an assistant coach on Billy Donovan’s staff at the University of Florida, when the Gators won the national championship.