Crossroads Forward Says He Will Attend Providence

Crossroads High power forward Austin Croshere has made an unwritten agreement to attend Providence in the fall.

Croshere, who met Saturday with Providence Coach Rick Barnes, said he was impressed with the Big East Conference program.

“I’m going to Providence because it’s in a great conference,” Croshere said. “Basically, I feel (Barnes) is a good young coach and he would get the most out of me as a player.”

Croshere said he notified Barnes of his decision at 11:30 p.m. Monday.

Croshere, who averaged 22.1 points, 15.4 rebounds and 4.3 blocked shots a game last season, selected Providence over Notre Dame when the Fighting Irish could not offer him a scholarship until the 1994-95 season.

After speaking with his parents, Crossroads Coach Daryl Roper and summer league coach David Benezra on Monday, Croshere announced his decision.

“I think Providence Coach Rick Barnes is a good coach,” Roper said. “Providence came after him hard. I think he will be happier with a smaller school, but they play in a great (conference).

“He will be tested every night against Syracuse, St. John’s and Georgetown. I hope he can last with that physical play. He has to get his body ready now.”

UCLA Coach Jim Harrick had contacted Croshere several times but never made a scholarship offer.

Take the money and run--Former Loyola Marymount two-sport standout Terrell Lowery decided to fulfill his contract obligation and attend the Texas Rangers’ instructional league in Port Charlotte, Fla.

Lowery, who also had been pursuing a career in the NBA, played in a summer league for a Denver Nugget team. Nugget General Manager Bernie Bickerstaff had informed Lowery that they would offer him a tryout but made no assurances that the former Lion would make the team.

At stake was a $75,000 signing bonus with the Rangers that Lowery would have forfeited had he not reported to the Rangers’ instructional league on Sept. 15. The Nuggets’ training camp began Friday at the Air Force Academy.

Ranger West Coast scout Len Strelitz said he has heard nothing but praise about Lowery, who was the Rangers’ second-round pick in 1991.

“Basically, he is playing center field every day and getting some key hits,” Strelitz said. “He’s doing what we always thought he could do when he is playing baseball.”

Strelitz, however, said the fight to keep Lowery in baseball is not over.

Lowery will play for the Continental Basketball Assn.’s Quad City Thunder in November after he completes instructional league and before he starts minor league spring training in March.