West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[boatcapt]

That's unfortunately the problem all over the place ... they don't stay around to develop. Drives me nuts. Essentially developing on one schools' dime and then cashing in for somebody else.

Yes...we are QUITE familiar with that. I think WLU would have an inside shot at the DII Transfer National Championship!

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
4 wlu men's bball players make academic all district
congrats!
From march 26 article on hilltoppersports.com:

On Tuesday afternoon the College Sports Communicator's (CSC) announced the 2023-24 Academic All-District® selections for men's basketball. West Liberty University was represented by Zach Rasile, Finley Woodward, John Korte, and Alek West. CSC recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classrooms. All four of the Hilltopper student-athletes were also named as finalists for the Academic All-America® ballot. All-Americans will be announced April 17, 2024.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Fyi
Machi Chester played in 2024 Capitol Classic all star game. He played for suburban all stars vs the District all stars in the 1st game.

The 2nd game pitted the Capitol all stars vs the best players in the usa (high major players).

He is a mature young man and is a very strong player, who is also unselfish. Cannot wait to see him develop on the hilltop.


Great Interview with Machi Chester at capitol classic apr 18 2024
https://youtu.be/kAEXWSteTNA?feature=shared

Background on history of Capitol Classic (Jordan, Lebron, Moses, Dominique, etc.) Fyi

https://youtu.be/0Rc2fw6jNCA?feature=shared

That's unfortunately the problem all over the place ... they don't stay around to develop. Drives me nuts. Essentially developing on one schools' dime and then cashing in for somebody else.

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
Machi Chester played in 2024 Capitol Classic all star game. He played for suburban all stars vs the District all stars in the 1st game.

The 2nd game pitted the Capitol all stars vs the best players in the usa (high major players).

He is a mature young man and is a very strong player, who is also unselfish. Cannot wait to see him develop on the hilltop.


Great Interview with Machi Chester at capitol classic apr 18 2024
https://youtu.be/kAEXWSteTNA?feature=shared

Background on history of Capitol Classic (Jordan, Lebron, Moses, Dominique, etc.) Fyi

https://youtu.be/0Rc2fw6jNCA?feature=shared

[boatcapt]

Cue Country Roads...

Cooper Kent galion oh hs 6-2

Cooper Kent FINAL STATS (24 games): 17.7 PTS | 6.8 RB | 3.0 AST | 1.4 TO | 1.8 STL | 0.5 BLK | 2.9 3P | 10 charges Taken

Played on team that only won 12 games. Like the assist to TO Ratio. Great range on three. Qb in football.

From X:

Excited to announce I will be continuing my basketball career as a West Liberty University Hilltopper! Grateful to Coaches Howlett & Harr for giving me this opportunity! Thank you to my family, coaches, and the many others who invested time and effort into me! Thank you God!

Ben is a first rate talent evaluator. Given the turn over in this year roster, Kent will have every opportunity to earn serious playing time this year.

[Columbuseer]

Cue Country Roads...

Cooper Kent galion oh hs 6-2

Cooper Kent FINAL STATS (24 games): 17.7 PTS | 6.8 RB | 3.0 AST | 1.4 TO | 1.8 STL | 0.5 BLK | 2.9 3P | 10 charges Taken

Played on team that only won 12 games. Like the assist to TO Ratio. Great range on three. Qb in football.

From X:

Excited to announce I will be continuing my basketball career as a West Liberty University Hilltopper! Grateful to Coaches Howlett & Harr for giving me this opportunity! Thank you to my family, coaches, and the many others who invested time and effort into me! Thank you God!

[boatcapt]

I have not been keeping track of all the roster movements. Do we still have additional spots to fill?

I count between 14 and 12.

Expected Returns:

Shuler
Spadafora
Woodward
Pankney
Daugustino
Kisner

Possible Returns: Note that both of these players had their "Senior Day" along with plaque award this past season. Will both return...will neither...will one???

Rasile
Sarson

New Players Reported Signed:

Transfers:

Harper
Stewart
Shull

Freshmen:

Chester
Dragas
Tinsley

WLU has played with 12 under Ben but usually has 15. Sooooo...Is recruting still open on the Hilltop? Yes...no...maybe????

[Columbuseer]

Montague and Hinds have left a lasting positive impact on community beyond basketball. I'm so pleased that they chose wlu.

https://hilltoppersports.com/news/20...community.aspx

[Topper_Hopper]

I have not been keeping track of all the roster movements. Do we still have additional spots to fill?

[boatcapt]

Stewart is very quick and athletic. Seems well suited for rapid paced transition game. Even if he does not start, he will still get 15 to 21 minutes a game. The wlu style also creates more possessions per game.

wlu will be young, but there will be quite a battle to earn playing time with the returning players, talented recruits and transfers.

here are highlights for Stewart.
https://twitter.com/Jaylen_stew/stat...43799534031028

Welcome back Columbus...eer!! Missed you.

Quick never goes out of style...much like spot up three point shooters.

He might not (or may?) find his way into the starting 5 but on the Hilltop, if you can shoot you will find a way to get 15 plus MPG

[Columbuseer]

Stewart is very quick and athletic. Seems well suited for rapid paced transition game. Even if he does not start, he will still get 15 to 21 minutes a game. The wlu style also creates more possessions per game.

wlu will be young, but there will be quite a battle to earn playing time with the returning players, talented recruits and transfers.

here are highlights for Stewart.
https://twitter.com/Jaylen_stew/stat...43799534031028

[Layton]

IUP transfer Jaylen Stewart to WL

[Layton]

Bryce Butler’s brother Landon is heading to Coker. They look identical

[boatcapt]

He graduated from her school (she works at a high school).

And the same question could be said about Boswell--why didn't he follow Danny right away?

So the HS administrator he had two years ago has enough pull on him to get him to transfer to the school her husband coaches at but that he has never played for? Wow, that's some Svengali like pull!!

Boswell played for two seasons under Sancomb (the coach...not the administrator) so THAT was probably the connection that brought him to Cal after quiting (getting kicked off the team??) 21 games into the 2019-20 season at WLU. I always found his departure a little odd. I mean he had played 21 games and started all of them...was the 3rd leading scorer...averaging 24 MPG...not taking a ton of threes but not zero either and was making them at a .421 clip. Then POOF...gone with no reason why asked or given.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

He graduated from her school (she works at a high school).

And the same question could be said about Boswell--why didn't he follow Danny right away?

Likely one of three things:

In no order

* He doesn't want to play half a game

* After a year practicing there he didn't fit

* J.J. Harper isn't coming there to come off the bench


Remember, too, Cal was without Cam Polak all season (one of the best SGs in the league). So, Cal may not be the best fit, either (if he really wants to start).