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."
Cavs make decisions
Former Caroline track and field standout Marcus Dorsey will attend St. Augustine's College in Raleigh, N.C., and participate in its track program. The Falcons are consistently one of the top Division II programs. Dorsey said he'll compete in the 55- and 110-meter hurdles and the triple jump.
"He's not on scholarship," Caroline track and field coach Sansberry Harvey said. "So he has to go down there and prove himself."
Dorsey is expected to leave for school next week. Former Caroline basketball standout Brentton Allen is set for college as well. Allen will play for the University of Mary Washington.
Braswell run set
The third annual Baron "Deuce" P. Braswell II Run Against Teen Violence will take place Sept. 27 at Courtland High.
The run is a combination 5k walk/run and a 1-mile fun run for kids 14-and-under. The top three male and female runners will be recognized.
Chargers' pair on radar
Chancellor rising senior Clinton Simpkins plans to visit the first of the four schools who have offered him a scholarship. The standout defensive lineman is planning a visit to the University of Kentucky. He also has offers from North Carolina State, West Virginia and East Carolina. Chargers' rising senior offensive lineman Dennis Wagner recently picked up an offer from Elon (N.C.) University.
Taft Coghill Jr.: 540/374-5526
Email: tcoghill@freelancestar.com