Tech's Clinch to sit out for poor grades

ATLANTA - Georgia Tech guard Lewis Clinch will miss at least the first seven games of his senior season because he is academically ineligible.

Coach Paul Hewitt announced on Friday that the 6-foot-3 guard would not play during the fall semester, which ends Dec. 12. He can return to the team after that if he regains his eligibility.

Clinch started 14 of 32 games last season and averaged 9.0 points. Georgia Tech opens the season next Friday against Winston-Salem State.