Bishop Sullivan duo lands WVU offers
by Jamaar Hawkins, recruit757
The inaugural Royal Basketball Skills Challenge took place this past Saturday at Virginia Wesleyan College. The camp was held by former Marlins guard and Virginia Beach native Marques Fitch.
Fitch was a part of the 2005-06 Virginia Wesleyan team that won the school’s first Division III national championship. He nailed a three-pointer in an ODAC tournament final win over Randolph-Macon during the postseason run. The championship for the men’s basketball team was the first in school history for any team. Fitch was the first local recruit during head coach Dave Macedo’s early years at Virginia Wesleyan. The Marlins won at least 18 games in each of the next four seasons as Fitch surpassed 1,000 career points. After graduation, Fitch would return as an assistant coach on Macedo’s staff.
“Being Coach Macedo’s first local recruit, I was a part of being the program on the map. Now, we have a local recruits for Virginia Wesleyan from the area. I’m excited to be a part of a winning program that’s known for winning conference championships and competing for national championships. It’s just a blessing. When I went to the school, I just wanted to put on for the school and local ties and that’s the same thing I was able to do with this camp,” said Fitch, taking a break in between leading drills with the young campers.
Fitch, who graduated from Kellam, had late interest from Davidson, Holy Cross and a few mid-major programs but Virginia Wesleyan were his favorites from the beginning of his recruitment.
“I had interest from some programs late in my senior year, but none of them showed the desire to have me like Virginia Wesleyan. They let it be known that they wanted me here.
The event also featured appearances by mascots from Norfolk State, Old Dominion and Wesleyan’s own Marlin adhering to the ‘Royal Court’ theme. A hands-only CPR demonstration, led by the American Heart Association, also took place during the camp.
“We just wanted to get the Kings and Queens of the court and make sure we’re creating basketball royalty here. We’re teaching basketball fundamentals and skills. Through that, they should be ruling the court in a next couple of years,” Fitch said with smile.
Fitch, hopes to expand his efforts following Saturday’s event, which will see its proceeds go towards the renovations of outdoor basketball courts in Hampton Roads neighborhoods. The Virginia Beach native hopes to encourage a healthy dose of outdoor activity for a modern culture largely accustomed to staying indoors.
-Jamaar Hawkins
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