West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[Columbuseer]

https://x.com/smcHoops_/status/1907940723569340899

Fyi
Peter lattos practice game video at Northern Michigan.
Runs well, great post moves too.
6-8 220 lbs

[Columbuseer]

Daniel Burton is an intriguing prospect at 6-9. Redshirted at d1 citadel.

In addition to basketball, he finished 4th in 100 meter freestyle swimming at state championship at 59.36 secs.

He high jumped 6'3".

He has the aerobic capacity and athletic ability to be a force in the wlu press and on defense. After spending some time in the weight room, he could make an impact.

[boatcapt]

https://x.com/smcHoops_/status/1907940723569340899

Fyi
Peter lattos practice game video at Northern Michigan.
Runs well, great post moves too.
6-8 220 lbs

Great size (for WLU). Played two years at a very good Northern Michigan (both seasons NM was in the NCAA DII Tourney). Redshirted his first year but played in 17 games last season. Averaged 1.1 PPG, 5.7 min/gm, took 2 3pt shots on the season (missed both), shot .333 (8-24) inside the 3 point line.

We've been burned by the "he's been working on his outside shot and will blossom this season" assessments in the past (Woodard) so color me a bit sceptical. Buuuuttttt, Woodard did show that you don't need to be a 3PT shooter to be very successful in the WLU Style. Even on a "position less" team, there seems to be a place for a player with a glaring hole in his game.

[boatcapt]

Daniel Burton is an intriguing prospect at 6-9. Redshirted at d1 citadel.

In addition to basketball, he finished 4th in 100 meter freestyle swimming at state championship at 59.36 secs.

He high jumped 6'3".

He has the aerobic capacity and athletic ability to be a force in the wlu press and on defense. After spending some time in the weight room, he could make an impact.

But just soooo thin! You'd think that after a year in a "D1 athletic program weight room" he would have put on more weight! From his HS tape, he ticks the blocks...but again, just sooo thin!

Starting to see what I suspected, most of our post coaching change/non-Coker transfers/recruits have holes of some sort in their game. Some might minimize the holes but they are there none the less and those holes are what has made them available this late in the recruiting cycle. Doesn't mean they can't or won't succeed on the Hilltop, just that they need to improve...if they want to be true position less players some need to improve their three point shooting...some need to hit the buffet line as hard as they hit the weights.

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
Wlu schedule is out.
https://hilltoppersports.com/sports/...hedule/2025-26

Playing Cal pa, clarion, va union, and shepherd.

Playing angelo state and lubbock christian in vegas befor Christmas.

[Columbuseer]

According to X, Brady Arnold is now an assistant coach at wlu, following a season at Coker.
He is an inspirational leader, having overcome a year-long battle with cancer to come back and play at wlu. He was a teammate of Lamberti.

He will be a great asset in developing the guards at wlu in all phases of the game, both mentally and physically.

[boatcapt]

Unless we've added money for a third full-time assistant, this probably means Bryce Butler is not returning and that Greg Bearer (rumored to be coming) are not staying/coming to WLU as assistant coaches.

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
some highlights on daniel burton

View Daniel Burton's basketball highlight video on FieldLevel https://www.fieldlevel.com/app/profi...os/2029775?m=2

Burton Looks agile and runs well

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
Wlu rs freshman charlie hill high school highlights
https://www.hudl.com/profile/12282543

[Topper_Hopper]

Fyi
Wlu schedule is out.
https://hilltoppersports.com/sports/...hedule/2025-26

Playing Cal pa, clarion, va union, and shepherd.

Playing angelo state and lubbock christian in vegas befor Christmas.

Tough OOC schedule for a transition year. I suspect that we'll take some uncharacteristic losses early, but will be much improved by the end of the season.

[Topper_Hopper]

According to X, Brady Arnold is now an assistant coach at wlu, following a season at Coker.
He is an inspirational leader, having overcome a year-long battle with cancer to come back and play at wlu. He was a teammate of Lamberti.

He will be a great asset in developing the guards at wlu in all phases of the game, both mentally and physically.

Great news.

[Topper_Hopper]

Unless we've added money for a third full-time assistant, this probably means Bryce Butler is not returning and that Greg Bearer (rumored to be coming) are not staying/coming to WLU as assistant coaches.

I''d much prefer the "home grown" option (Brady) over Greg Bearer. And interesting point regarding Butler. He'll be a valuable asset wherever he lands.

[Columbuseer]

I would not be surprised if both Bearer and Arnold are assistant coaches. Bearer is known for his results in player development and recruiting.

[boatcapt]

WLU typically has two full-time assistants and a third part-time assistant OR grad assistant OR a student assistant. The current 2025-26 roster shows Huffman as the only listed assistant. There are three possibilities for the one seat, Bryce Butler (an assistant last season and an early July interview with Lamberti said he'd know in "about a week" if Butler was coming back), Bearer (rumored to be coming by some on-line "inside knowledge" expert who said he heard a rumor) and now Brady Arnold. So unless we add money to pay additional full-time assistants, we have three candidates for one position (or two if one is willing to take a "part time" gig).

I think Butler is out which is kind of sad. He would have had the chance to coach his two younger brothers and would have had another year in the WLU System which would pay dividends down the road. But, whatever the reason is, I don't think he's coming back.

That leaves Bearer and Arnold. Don't see a long time assistant like Bearer being willing to take a part-time gig so if he comes he's coming as Lambertis full time assistant. That leaves Arnold. Clearly he's coming to the Hilltop but I think it's most likely as a part time assistant.

[boatcapt]

Tough OOC schedule for a transition year. I suspect that we'll take some uncharacteristic losses early, but will be much improved by the end of the season.

As the saying goes, you can't WIN a championship early in the season...but you CAN lose it!