West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[Columbuseer]

I think his final season will be his best. I could see him at 12+ points per game and the team leader in both steals and assists.

Good points. He has significantly improved in all aspects of his game.

[boatcapt]

I think his final season will be his best. I could see him at 12+ points per game and the team leader in both steals and assists.

Fifth year Senior and only returning player with game experience at WLU. Being the leader should not be a maybe, it should be a requirement.

[Topper_Hopper]

I think his final season will be his best. I could see him at 12+ points per game and the team leader in both steals and assists.

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
bio Dante Spadafora rs sr. 6-0 160 lbs

Dante is leading by example in guiding the transition of so many new players on this year's team. His motor is running at 9000 rpm all the time. Fearless rebounder for his size as he has great anticipation. He is drilling threes from a deep range, reverting to his 44+% of the 23-24 season. He is also attacking the basket more frequently.
He has great vision and attacks the defense at speed, but under control. He has gained additional muscle and strength.
He is equally comfortable at shooting guard or point guard.

2025-25 (Junior): MEC Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll. …Played in 33 games with 31 starts....... averaging 24.1 minutes per game.... Scored 323 points (9.8 ppg.) with 127 rebounds (3.8 rpg.) had 100 assists (3.0 apg.) led the team in steals with 62 (1.8 spg.). Scored a career-high 29 points against Glenville State Feb.19, 2025. Had a career-high eight assists against Point Park Jan. 23, 2025. Pulled down a career-high eight rebounds twice against Bluefield State Nov.9, 2024 and against Concord March, 8 2025.............. Has 129 career - three's.


2023-24 (Sophomore): MEC Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll. …Played in 31 games, averaging 17.6 minutes per game. …Scored 267 points (8.6 ppg.) with 72 rebounds (2.3 rpg.). …Shot 45 percent (74-165) from the floor, 44 percent (59-133) from the 3-point arc and 85 percent (60-71) from the foul line.…12 double-figure scoring games. …Career-high 28 minutes at Charleston (12/6/23). …season-high 17points vs. Shippensburg (11/10/23). …Career-high 5 3FGs vs. Salem (1/24/24). …season-high 5 steals vs. Notre Dame (11/21/23). …season-high 5 rebounds vs. Fairmont State (2/17/24)

2022-23 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in 34 games, averaging 9.5 minutes per game. …Scored 91 points with 42 rebounds and 43 assists. …Shot 35 percent (25-72) from the floor, 35 percent (18-52) from the 3-point arc and 72 percent (23-32) from the foul line. …Career-high 12 points and 4 3FGs vs. Davis & Elkins (1/25/23). …Career-high 6 assists and 4 steals vs. Concord (2/11/23). …Career-high 5 rebounds at W.Va. Wesleyan (1/28/23)

2021-22 (Freshman): Redshirted at West Liberty due to injury

High School: Electrifying 4-time All-Pennsylvania guard led Our Lady of Sacred Heart to unbeaten state championship season as a senior. …Averaged nearly 20 points per game with 5.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 4.7 steals. …1,700+ career points

Off the Court: …He is majoring in Business Administration

[Columbuseer]

Fyi bio Xavier Harris jr. 6-2 180 lbs

He is solidly built, pass first point guard. He does not commit many turnovers and looks for open teammates rather than scoring.

Prior to WLU: Played at Coker University during the 2024-25 season........ Played in 29 games averaging 24 minutes, 6.5 ppg., 4.1 rpg., 2.9 apg....... Scored a season-high 18 at Emmanuel Ga. Nov.9, 2024. averaged 32% from three and a very good 3.4 assist to turnover ratio.

Played at Western Colorado University during the 2023-24 season....... Played in 28 games averaging 5.6 ppg. 1.8 rpg. and 1.6apg. ..... Scored a season-high 15 points vs. Texas A&M International Nov.17, 2023.

High School: Played at Hillcrest Prep in Phoenix, AZ. ......... He was a first team all-conference selection, and team MVP.

Off the court: He will major in Business Innovation.

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
Machi Chester appears to have committed to Henry Ford Community College a d2 junior college in Michigan.
He took a scary, horrific fall in a scrimmage against Cal PA in pre-season that kept him out for a long time before he was cleared to practice. A very nice young man. I wish him well.

[Columbuseer]

Fyi bio Cooper Kent redshirt freshman 6-2 175 lbs

Cooper has gotten much stronger and is much more comfortable in the wlu system. He is a deadly three point shooter. He has good vision and plays with great effort.

2024-25 season: Did not play

High School: 1,000-point career scorer and all-Mid Ohio Athletic Conference selection at Galion (Ohio) High School. …Set school record with 8 3FGs in win over
Buckeye Central. …Stuffed the stat sheet as a senior, averaging 17.7 points to go along with nearly 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals per game.

Off the Court: He is pursuing a degree in Sports Management

[Columbuseer]

Three years into college and undecided on a major is insane stuff.

Thanks for catching this. Name should be Max Butler, who is a true freshman.

[IUP24]

Fyi bio Landon Butler 6-2 190 lbs freshman

He was originally committed to Coker, but came to wlu with the coaching change. High bball iq, just like his brothers, who were also 1000-point scorers in high school. Has good court vision, unselfish, and plays with great effort. He is a physically strong player who is not affected by contact. He has a bright future.

High School: Played atGreater Latrobe High School in Latrobe Pa...Two-year captain...Two-time first-team all-state...One thousand-point career scorer.

Off the court: Brother Landon is a junior on the team... He is undecided on a major.

Three years into college and undecided on a major is insane stuff.

[Columbuseer]

Fyi bio Max Butler 6-2 190 lbs freshman

He was originally committed to Coker, but came to wlu with the coaching change. High bball iq, just like his brothers, who were also 1000-point scorers in high school. Has good court vision, unselfish, and plays with great effort. He is a physically strong player who is not affected by contact. He has a bright future.

High School: Played atGreater Latrobe High School in Latrobe Pa...Two-year captain...Two-time first-team all-state...One thousand-point career scorer.

Off the court: Brother Landon is a junior on the team... He is undecided on a major.

[boatcapt]

It's a tough profession for D2 assistants. It can obviously pay off but you have to put in some serious time (usually years) while making peanuts. That life isn't for everybody. A lot of these young guys try it for a year and quickly realize they want to get a job paying double (or more) and move along.

I think it would be a fascinating career path and lifestyle but the early years are pretty rough.

Obviously the goal of young assistant coaches in D2 is to get the hell out of D2 as fast as possible. Or, get that first D2 HC job and then get out. Even for the HCs, there's only a couple jobs in the Atlantic that actually pay pretty well.

I don't know what the MEC is paying assistants in basketball but the PSAC range is probably $35,000 to $50,000 (and I'm guessing most are closer to the first number than the second number). That's obviously why retention is what it is. Get the year on the resume and keep moving.

The way I read Lamberti's interview was that Butler had other offers and would make a decision in a week. Implication was that Butler was the #1 pick for AC and it was his if he wanted it. Clearly, that didn't happen and Butler left. But to where is my question!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Speaking of Bryce Butler, any idea where he went? Early after Lamberti took the HC gig, he gave an interview where he talked about Bryce coming back as an Assistant and how he would know in about a week. Clearly he chose not to come back. Wonder where he went?

It's a tough profession for D2 assistants. It can obviously pay off but you have to put in some serious time (usually years) while making peanuts. That life isn't for everybody. A lot of these young guys try it for a year and quickly realize they want to get a job paying double (or more) and move along.

I think it would be a fascinating career path and lifestyle but the early years are pretty rough.

Obviously the goal of young assistant coaches in D2 is to get the hell out of D2 as fast as possible. Or, get that first D2 HC job and then get out. Even for the HCs, there's only a couple jobs in the Atlantic that actually pay pretty well.

I don't know what the MEC is paying assistants in basketball but the PSAC range is probably $35,000 to $50,000 (and I'm guessing most are closer to the first number than the second number). That's obviously why retention is what it is. Get the year on the resume and keep moving.

[boatcapt]

Speaking of Bryce Butler, any idea where he went? Early after Lamberti took the HC gig, he gave an interview where he talked about Bryce coming back as an Assistant and how he would know in about a week. Clearly he chose not to come back. Wonder where he went?

[Columbuseer]

Fyi Bio Landon Butler Jr. 6-3 185 lbs

High motor and high basketball IQ. Great vision, and shares the ball. Competed well against tbt Dubois.

Prior to WLU: Played at Coker University during the 2024-25 season..... Played in 29 games with one start...... averaged 20.4 mins, 7.8 ppg., 2.6 rpg., and 2.4 apg...... Scored a season-high 22 against Mount Olive Dec.21, 2024. Assist to turnover ratio of 1.92. 50% FG and 32.6% 3FG

Played at Montevallo during the 2023-24 season....... Played in 28 games with seven starts...averaged 19.2 minutes per game...scored 3.8 points per game and grabbed 2.3 rebounds per game...shot 43.4 percent from the field and 31.0 percent from three-point range...was second on the team in steals with 33 on the year...scored a season-high 15 points in his season debut with 15 points against Nova Southeastern on 11/10/23...tallied a season-high seven rebounds and six steals against Barry 11/11/23.

High School: Four-year letterman at Greater Latrobe Senior High School in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.....2023 WPIAL 5A Section Player of the Year...was named to the WPIAL 5A All-Section First Team in 2022 and 2023...earned WPIAL 5A All-Section Second Team honors as a sophomore...WPIAL 5A All-Section honorable mention in 2020 as a freshman...averaged 20 points per game, eight rebounds per game and five assists per game as a senior...scored over 1,000 points in his high school career and is the ninth all-time leading scorer in Greater Latrobe basketball history.

Off the court... His brother is Bryce Butler. Brother Max is a freshman on the team.

[boatcapt]

Given the number of Coker transfers coupled with HC Lamberti from Coker, there shouldn't be much if any "gelling" needed for this seasons Toppers. Only difference is where the players are playing. What we see in game 1 should be pretty much what well see in Feb/Mar.