George Washington's Stephen Coles signs with Catawba College

By: Damien Sordelett | GoDanRiver.com
Published: June 11, 2009

After leading George Washington to a fourth consecutive trip to the Group AAA state basketball tournament for the first time in school history, forward Stephen Coles has signed an athletic scholarship to continue his basketball career at Catawba College.

“Getting him signed, sealed and delivered … I’m excited for him,” GW coach Bobby Martin said Wednesday afternoon. “Other than having a state championship ring, he has nothing to be ashamed of.”

The 6-foot-4 Coles had his best season for the Eagles in his senior year, registering 14 points and 12 rebounds per game while leading GW to a 23-5 record and an appearance in the Group AAA state quarterfinals, where the Eagles lost to eventual state champion King’s Fork 60-53.

Coles was named first team all-Western Valley District and all-Northwest Region, in addition to being honored on the Virginia High School Coaches Association all-state honorable mention team.

“Every time you watched him played, his effort was outstanding,” Martin said. “Everyday at practice, he worked hard. Every game, he worked hard.”

In Coles’ three seasons on the varsity roster, the Eagles went 76-10 and made appearances each season in the state tournament. In Coles’ sophomore year, GW advanced to the Group AAA state championship game before falling to Highland Springs. That year, GW finished 26-4.

Coles was named to the Register & Bee all-metro team in 2008 after averaging 8.2 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game and leading the Eagles to the Group AAA state quarterfinal game and a 27-1 record.

The Catawba Indians finished 22-10 a year ago, tied for second in the South Athletic Conference. Catawba, coached by Jim Baker, lost to USC Aiken in the semifinals of the NCAA II Southeast Regional Tournament.

“You want to win games, but to see them graduate and go to college, you’re on the right track,” Martin said. “I want him to get a degree. All the other things are nice, but I want to see that degree.”

-- Contact Sordelett at dsordelett@registerbee.com or (434) 791-7998.