West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
bio on freshman Myles Montgomery.
1st team all state, district player of year. Strong, physical player with deep 3 point range. Good defender.
Very high motor. Near the end of a strenuous, exhausting wlu scrimmage, an opponent picked up a loose ball at mid court and sped all alone toward a layup.
Myles was at the foul line far behind him. Only Myles sprinted after him, catching him at the rim to prevent a layup. Very Spadafora-like move.

High School: Played atMinford High School, in Minford, Ohio......... Helped guide his team to an 84-14 record during his four seasons....... Won two Conference titles and a District Championship along with a Regional Championship......... Three-year team captain.......... Freshman - first team SOC, First team district and honorable mention all state............ Sophomore Year- first team SOC, First team District, third team all state, SOC POY and District POY............ Junior Year- first team SOC, First team District, Second team all state................ Senior Year- First team SOC, First team District, District POY , First team all state, SOC POY............. Freshman- 20.3 ppg., 3.5 apg., 4 rpg. Sophomore- 23.7 ppg., 4.3 apg., 4.5 rpg. Junior-20.7 ppg., 4.7 apg., 5.2 RPG. Senior- 25.3 ppg., 5.2 apg., 5.7 rpg.

Off the Court:
He is majoring in Exercise Physiology.

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
Bio on freshman Cameron Williams.
He is a very smooth, intelligent player. He plays under control and can score inside or outside. He played in a tough league in Ohio. He was not intimidated playing against TBT team.

High School: Played at Elder High School in Cincinnati, Ohio........... Greater Catholic League player of the year his senior season and first team all GCL......... First team All-GCL his junior season......... Helped guide his team to two-district championships and a GCL title........... Went 56-18 during his high school career.......... Served as team captain his senior season..........

Off the Court:
He is majoring in Sports Management........ With a minor in Education.

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
bio on Max Hurray
At 6-2 and 198 lbs, Max is a physically strong player who can score inside or outside. Reminds me of D’Augustino, but Max is a much better outside shooter. If the ball is on the floor, you will find Max there too. Not intimidated in Dubois scrimmage. Unselfish and high bball iq.
leading scorer in North Catholic history and 1st team all state in PA. All conference freshmen team while at Coker.


Prior to WLU: Played one season at Coker University, Hartsville in South Carolina......... All SAC Freshman Team Honors..........Coker Male Newcomer of the Year Nominee....... Played in 29 games averaging 12.1 ppg., 2.9 rpg., 1.2 apg............. Scored in double-figures in 23 games...... Scored a season-high 22 points against Carson-Newman Jan.4, 2025.

High School: Played atNorth Catholic High School in Cranberry Twp., Pa................ Is the school's all time leading scorer........ first team all state 2024........ Helped guide is team to two-WPIAL runners up.

Off the court: He will major in Business.

[Columbuseer]

Fyi bio on Peter Lattos 6-8 220 lbs rs sophomore
He is a three level scorer, who has good mechanics on his shot. He can drive aggressively to the rim and does not shy away from contact. Competed hard on the boards against Dubois in scrimmage. Aggressive playing style. Runs the floor very well.


Prior to WLU:
Played two seasons atNorthern Michigan in Marquette, Michigan............. 2023-2024 record: 22-11 GLIAC Regular Season Champions, NCAA tournament appearance............. 2024-2025 record: 22-10 GLIAC Tournament Champions, NCAA tournament appearance

High School
Played atWest Salem High School in West Salem, Wisconsin............... Junior year, record 27-2, 2021-2022 WIAA State Runner-Ups
Senior year, record 28-2, 2022-2023 WIAA State Runner-Ups............ Most wins in program history in Junior and Senior year......... Two-year captain....... Senior year: Named WBCA D3 All-State, AP 4th Team All-State, First Team All-Tribune, Two-Time First Team All-Conference, Prep Hoops Honorable Mention All-Tournament Team, and a WBCA All-Star. ................. Senior year averaged 14.7 ppg , 4 apg and 8.6 rpg

Off the Court: He's majoring in Cybersecurity, with a minor in Business Analytics.

[Columbuseer]

fyi
Bio on Terrance Pankey 6-2 180 lbs rs sophomore
He has made great improvement due to his year at BCCC.
He is likely the quickest player on the roster, reminiscent of McKinney and Shuler. Loves to drive to the rim or take pull up jumper. Showing steady improvement in his vision to find the open teammate. Very high motor. Got to the rim against tbt Dubois guards. Bright future.

High School: Played at Youngstown Ursuline High School in Youngtown, Ohio.........A one-thousand point scorer he is the school's third leading scorer all-time..... Averaged 18 ppg. 10 rpg. during his senior season....... Served as a team-captian all four years.

Prior to WLU: Played one season at Butler County Community College in Butler, Pa. .............. He was a two-time player of the month....... Named to the Region 20 NJCAAAll Region Team.

Off the court: He is majoring in Accounting.

[Columbuseer]

Fyi bio
Judson Coan sr. 6-8 190 lbs
He is a slender 6-8 who plays comfortably on the wing. Good mechanics on the three. Moves well laterally on defense. Sees the whole court. Aggressive on the boards. Was not present for tbt scrimmage.


Prior to WLU: Played at Coker University in Hartville, South Carolina for one season....... 2024-25 season...... averaged 12.4 ppg., 4.7 rpg., 1.6 apg. ..... Scored a season-high 34 points and pulled down 15 rebounds against Mars Hill Dec.7, 2024........... Played two-seasons at Daytona State College in Daytona Beach, Fla. ..............2022-23 season played in 17 games averaging 2.2 ppg., 1.4 rpg., 0.3 apg................ 2023-24 season played in 32 games averaged 7.2 ppg., 3.0 rpg., 0.9 apg.

High School: Played atWade Hampton, Greenville in South Carolina......... Named to the all region team.

Off the court: Judson will major in Criminal Justice.

[Columbuseer]

Fyi bio on Hayden Abdullah rs soph 6-9 200 lbs
He played 24 mins as a true freshman at Coker, averaging 12 pts. Injured last year.
He got cleared to play this summer. In scrimmages, he had the characteristics of a typical wlu player, albeit in a taller body - can handle ball, rebound, shoot and pass, unselfish and good vision. He could pose matchup issues for smaller players. Aggressive rebounder. Nice 3 Pt mechanics.


Prior to WLU: Played two years atCoker University in Hartsville, South Carolina........ 2024-25 season...... played in one game........
2023-24 season...... Appeared in 27 games for Coker, making 23 starts... Averaged 24.4 minutes per game... Averaged 12.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.56 blocks per game... Named to South Atlantic Conference All-Freshman team...Led the South Atlantic Conference in blocked shots per game (1.56).

High School: Played atNorthwest Catholic in West Hartford Connecticut .......... Helped guide his team to a state runner-up finish in 2022 and state semifinal appearances in 2020 and 2021........ Named All-State his senior season and All-Conference his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons........ Served as team-captain his junior and senior seasons.

Off the court: He will major in Visual Communication, Graphic Design

[Columbuseer]

fyi
bio Charlie Hill 6-3 180 lbs rs freshman who transferred from Coker.

Charlie is a tough, physical player with a high motor. Good three point shooter. Aggressive rebounder. He was not intimidated by tbt Dubois team. Bright long term future.

Prior to WLU: Played one year at Coker University in Hartville, South Carolina..........

High School: Played atSocastee High School in Myrtle Beach, S.C. ........... two- year captain for the Braves.......... first team all-conference selection his senior season.

Off the court: He will major in Sports Management

[Columbuseer]

Fyi bio on Daniel Burton rs freshman 6-9 190 lbs
He is an intriguing prospect. He was not at the tbt scrimmage so I have not seen him play at wlu.
He redshirted at Citadel. In watching his hs highlights, he plays like a typical wlu player, who just happens to be 6-9. He is very agile with great elevation. He could pose matchup issues for smaller wing players. Great shot blocker and at ease playing an open court transition game.

https://www.fieldlevel.com/app/profi...videos/2029728

Prior to WLU:
Spent one season at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina.

High School:
Played at Wilson Hall in Sumter, South Carolina........... All region ......... All State........... Pee Dee All star........ State Track High Jumper 2022.........
Varsity Swim State qualifier.

Off the Court: He is majoring in CSI.

[Layton]

Add Peter Lattos from Northern Michigan

[Columbuseer]

Add Peter Lattos from Northern Michigan

See earlier post on 8-1-25 for his bio.
He played well against Dubois. I was impressed by his skills and aggressiveness.

[bballfan03]

Is Coker essentially becoming a farm system for WLU? Lol seems they get quite a few from there - wonder if any of them hoped for WLU, didnt get it, went to Coker in hopes of a future jump?

[Columbuseer]

Is Coker essentially becoming a farm system for WLU? Lol seems they get quite a few from there - wonder if any of them hoped for WLU, didnt get it, went to Coker in hopes of a future jump?

I think it was a case of wanting to play for lamberti as well as his style. 11 former Coker players or commits transferred to wlu. Similarly, all returning players but Spadafora and Kent followed Ben to Indy.

Most Coker players were not from wlu typical recruiting areas. Exceptions are Hurray and Pankey.

[bballfan03]

I think it was a case of wanting to play for lamberti as well as his style. 11 former Coker players or commits transferred to wlu. Similarly, all returning players but Spadafora and Kent followed Ben to Indy.

Most Coker players were not from wlu typical recruiting areas. Exceptions are Hurray and Pankey.

Thats totally on me.. I didnt realize Howlett left lol that explains why so many Coker kids are coming this year!

[boatcapt]

Is Coker essentially becoming a farm system for WLU? Lol seems they get quite a few from there - wonder if any of them hoped for WLU, didnt get it, went to Coker in hopes of a future jump?

It sure seems like it. Effectively we have moved the entire team to include the coaching staff from Coker to the Hilltop. Question I have, and preseason hyperbole about how great each of these players are, is will the simple relocation and change in the jersey they are wearing be enough to take them from a 19 win, non-NCAA tourney team to a 30 win one that not just makes the NCAA tourney, but wins a Regional title? I have my doubts and think we will be lucky to win in the low 20 wins and MAYBE make the NCAA tourney field as a low seed. Only in Hilltopper preseason land can you believe that getting rid of one of the winningest active basketball coaches and have effectively your entire 30-win Regional Championship team leave result in a team that is equally as good.