West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
Cameron Williams 6-3 PG Cincinnati Elder hs commits to west liberty
Athletic, high motor, scorer inside and outside, unselfish, strong fundamentals
3.4 gpa
12.7 pts
35% from three
Special mention D1 all state ohio
First team all GCL
Offers from:
Concord
Ashland
Thomas More

[Columbuseer]

Great new 2025 commit for West lLiberty!

Bennett Kayser commits to wlu
Minford high school ohio
6-6 190 lbs
4.0 gpa
Very high motor

Special mention d3 all Ohio
Offers from:
Air Force Academy
Nova SE
Gannon
Hillsdale
Ashland
Cedarville
Concord
Fairmont

[Columbuseer]

Aiden Davis committed, franchise PG

Wow! Great news... visited nova se too.

5’11 170 |
6’1 Wingspan |
Steubenville 2025 PG QB |

4.1 GPA |
Midwest Basketball Club Adidas Gold
1500 points at Wheeling Park
1st team 4A all state basketball wheeling park
honorable mention 3A all state wv football QB

Junior 2023-2024 *End of regular season stats:
557 points - 26.5 ppg
7.7 rebounds per game
4.7 assists per game
103-200 on 2s -51%
77-184 on 3s -41.8%
122-146 FT - 83.6%
44 turnovers
34 steals

[Scrub]

JJ Harper is showing on the recently-released 24-25 Concord roster. Did he have a change of heart, or is that an error?

It's interesting that programs get to decide when to release their rosters. So Concord's is out already. WLU won't release theirs until, like, October. They always wait until everyone is there and photographed. WLU does it in every sport. Even Fall sport rosters aren't posted yet. You'd think the NCAA or the conferences would have some rule about posting.

[Columbuseer]

JJ Harper is showing on the recently-released 24-25 Concord roster. Did he have a change of heart, or is that an error?

It is an error. J J Harper is rapidly adapting and making an impact this summer at wlu.

[Scrub]

Aiden Davis committed, franchise PG

It's also been a while (unless I'm forgetting someone) since we had an impact player from a local OVAC school (the aforementioned Monteroso would count). Bubby Goodwin had a decent year before moving on (to Slippery Rock if I recall). But as far as true impact (or "franchise" to use your words), we probably have to go back to Jerry Ammirante or AD's own coach Michael Jebbia to find a "franchise" player from a local high school here at WLU.

[Scrub]

Aiden Davis committed, franchise PG

But isn't the rumor that he ALSO wants to be the franchise QB? Is he signing on as a two-sport? And how will that work out? Worked o.k. for Monteroso, but not for all 4 years.

[Layton]

Aiden Davis committed, franchise PG

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Fyi current wlu roster

Veterans - 5

Daugustino
Kisner
Shuler
Spadafora
Woodward



Transfers - 5

Autrey
Clanet
Harper
Shull
Stewart


Freshmen - 4

Chester
Dragas
Kent
Tinsley

JJ Harper is showing on the recently-released 24-25 Concord roster. Did he have a change of heart, or is that an error?

[Columbuseer]

FYI
from hilltoppersports.com

West Liberty Men’s Basketball Receives NABC Team Academic Excellence Award


7/18/2024 12:13:00 PM Story Links

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The West Liberty University men's basketball team was recognized for their work in the classroom on Monday as they received a NABC Team Academic Excellence Award.

With a cumulative team GPA of _ during the 2023-24 academic year, the Hilltoppers are among the more than 360 men's basketball programs around the country to earn the accolade. To be eligible for the award a team must achieve a GPA of 3.0 or higher for the previous academic year. Additionally, the Hilltoppers placed five individuals on the list of more than 2,100 student-athletes receiving the NABC Honors Court award which recognizes student-athletes who are at least a junior and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2. Among the WLU athletes honored were Alek West (Biology (Pre-Med)), Ben Sarson (Business), Chaz Hinds (Business), John Korte (MBA Coaching and Leadership), and Zach Rasile (Finance).

West Liberty is one of just two intercollegiate men's basketball programs within the state of West Virginia and one of just two within the Mountain East Conference to receive the NABC Team Academic Excellence Award.

[boatcapt]

I agree that it has always been an emphasis. It seems like this year they want to take it back to the years when wlu averaged 40% as a team, albeit with a closer 3 pt line. But with taller, stronger athletes.

Have to wait and see. 9 new players is challenging.

If we can shoot 40% from 3 as a team, we will be hard to beat. At that %, rebounds become less important because there are far fewer of them to get. It also let you get into your full court pressure easier which increases the effectiveness of it. When running at full effectiveness, the WLU press produces a bunch of turn overs which effectively gives them real chances at FIVE points plays.

WLU has the players, on paper, that can do it. Just a matter of if they can do it with this cast.

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
west liberty plays Missouri S&T Dec 20 430 pm EST at Las Vegas Southpoint Arena.

[Columbuseer]

WLU always emphasizes 3 point shooting. The big question is can they shoot at a high enough percentage to burry opponents and cover up areas were they are deficient. We'll see this year with our cast of largely new or unproven players.

Really, with WLU it's how they set themselves up for the NCAA tourney. They will probably skate through most of the regular season because with a couple of exceptions, they simply are better than most of the league.

I agree that it has always been an emphasis. It seems like this year they want to take it back to the years when wlu averaged 40% as a team, albeit with a closer 3 pt line. But with taller, stronger athletes.

Have to wait and see. 9 new players is challenging.

[boatcapt]

It appears that wlu is emphasizing great 3-pt shooters on this year's team.
imho, here are the players I would consider having elite potential of 40%+ 3 pt accuracy, in no particular order:

o Spadafora

o Dragas

o Shull

o Kent

o Autrey

o Tinsley

Imho Here are 3 pt shooters with 35% - 40% potential

o Chester

o Harper

o Kisner

o Shuler

o Clanet

o Stewart

o D’Augustino

WLU always emphasizes 3 point shooting. The big question is can they shoot at a high enough percentage to burry opponents and cover up areas were they are deficient. We'll see this year with our cast of largely new or unproven players.

Really, with WLU it's how they set themselves up for the NCAA tourney. They will probably skate through most of the regular season because with a couple of exceptions, they simply are better than most of the league.

[Columbuseer]

It appears that wlu is emphasizing great 3-pt shooters on this year's team.
imho, here are the players I would consider having elite potential of 40%+ 3 pt accuracy, in no particular order:

o Spadafora

o Dragas

o Shull

o Kent

o Autrey

o Tinsley

Imho Here are 3 pt shooters with 35% - 40% potential

o Chester

o Harper

o Kisner

o Shuler

o Clanet

o Stewart

o D’Augustino