West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

I don't know how JUCO recruiting works but I find it a bit odd that a player can be on a JUCO team while at the same time having an offer from a D1...or DII for that matter. If that can happen, what would prevent a D1 program from "stockpiling" future recruits at a JUCO? Say for example that Duke had an AA caliber senior PG and a top tier Junior backup this coming year but there is a REALLY good PG coming out who want's to go to Duke. Instead of having him come in and get splinters on the bench, Duke could "encourage" him to go to a particular JUCO that just happens to run an offense/defense similar to Duke, stocked with Duke friendly coaches and other potential Duke players in the same situation as him while at the same time promising this player a scholly the following year.

Most JUCO programs are two year deals. So, as a sophomore there would be many committed to schools for their junior year. A lot go JUCO just for their first year and then leave.

Think of schools like Harcum, Lackawanna, etc.


Tallahassee isn't going to be a cakewalk for Hill. They have lots of players.

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

One limiting factor to this trend is that one has to sit a year to go from D2 to D1. Not many D1 schools are going to invest a scholarship in that scenario and wait a year for their return on investment.
Just speculating, but I wonder if the Albany offer is contingent on a successful season at Tallahassee Community College, which would involve Hill earning a starting position from among the plethora of D1 transfers that they have recruited.

I don't know how JUCO recruiting works but I find it a bit odd that a player can be on a JUCO team while at the same time having an offer from a D1...or DII for that matter. If that can happen, what would prevent a D1 program from "stockpiling" future recruits at a JUCO? Say for example that Duke had an AA caliber senior PG and a top tier Junior backup this coming year but there is a REALLY good PG coming out who want's to go to Duke. Instead of having him come in and get splinters on the bench, Duke could "encourage" him to go to a particular JUCO that just happens to run an offense/defense similar to Duke, stocked with Duke friendly coaches and other potential Duke players in the same situation as him while at the same time promising this player a scholly the following year.

[Layton]

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

I just hope it doesn't become a trend on this level.

One limiting factor to this trend is that one has to sit a year to go from D2 to D1. Not many D1 schools are going to invest a scholarship in that scenario and wait a year for their return on investment.
Just speculating, but I wonder if the Albany offer is contingent on a successful season at Tallahassee Community College, which would involve Hill earning a starting position from among the plethora of D1 transfers that they have recruited.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

And he'll never let anyone forget it! 10 years from now he'll still be dropping that "fact" on the girls at the local bar! He'll probably blur the line between his D1 and DII experience..."I lead the nation in 3 point shooting and was a big time D1 star."

I just hope it doesn't become a trend on this level.

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

His new team would likely lose to his old team. But ... his Twitter handle can now say he's D1. That's what it's all about.

And he'll never let anyone forget it! 10 years from now he'll still be dropping that "fact" on the girls at the local bar! He'll probably blur the line between his D1 and DII experience..."I lead the nation in 3 point shooting and was a big time D1 star."

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

It will be interesting to see if it is a commit-able offer. Yahel is a fine young man and a great offensive player. The open issue for me is whether he can defend the physically stronger and bigger guards that are prevalent in d1. Imho defense was his biggest area for improvement at wl.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

His new team would likely lose to his old team. But ... his Twitter handle can now say he's D1. That's what it's all about.

[Layton]

[Columbuseer]

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Alessondro and Butler as this years version of Yocum and Hill?? I like it!!!

Bolton with two eyes being twice as good a last year's one eye version?? That's kind of scary for WLUs opponents!!

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Soooo...Bolon and Yocum are probably going to be our top 2 scorers, but who is going to be our biggest surprise this coming season? Obviously a lot of hype for Boswell and he should be a shoe in for major contributions, but who is the under the radar guy that will either step up or come in and contribute larger than expected?

My money is on either Patrick Robinson the xfer from Holly Family or redshirt freshman Jon Alessandro.

Really tough question, Boat. Like you said, we expect some folks to be good. Frankly, in the past, players that I thought were career role players have stepped up and totally impressed me with their contributions.

You have some strong candidates. What is hard to predict is to know how quickly transfers as well as frosh adjust to rapid decision making required by the WL style and the tremendous effort that is required, regardless of of how much talent and athletic ability they have.

In terms of surprise factor, I would think that having a freshman make a significant contribution would be a big surprise, just like Yahel Hill last year. Using this criterion and based on high school highlights, I think Bryce Butler might be a significant surprise. In high school he seemed to have very good decision making skills and a high basketball IQ. Ditto for Evan Conley, but I wonder if he might need a redshirt year to get stronger, as did Yoakum in his freshman year.


This seems strange to say this, but I think Bolon is going to take his game to the next level on defense as well as his increased strength in his nside offensive game. He was nominated for MVP of the summer league (won by a pro), after being more of a sixth man last year.I think his ability to dominate a game in many facets besides offensive rebounding and 3 pt shooting will surprise many fans. Becoming a very complete, dominant player.

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Soooo...Bolon and Yocum are probably going to be our top 2 scorers, but who is going to be our biggest surprise this coming season? Obviously a lot of hype for Boswell and he should be a shoe in for major contributions, but who is the under the radar guy that will either step up or come in and contribute larger than expected?

My money is on either Patrick Robinson the xfer from Holly Family or redshirt freshman Jon Alessandro.

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Wayne Holmes beat #1 seed and undefeated Jumpman 104-103 in OT to win 2nd straight canton akron am pro championship
Here are the highlights. Wayne holmes in gray - 8 is bolon, #6 is bonifant and #1 is Tyree Gaiter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNlR...ature=youtu.be

Some players from this league are supposed to be coming (unconfirmed) to the Kingdom Summer league at 330 PM this Sunday at South HIgh School in Columbus. I think this league has some current or former pro players in it.


Jumpman had some great players - One would naturally think that Wayne Holmes did not have the athletic depth to play with these guys...
Partial List of Jumpman players

Nick Harney - Fairmont State - 6-8 has played last two years overseas
Cristen Debo Wilson = 6-5 played Lewis University 2018 grad - averaged 21 pts a game overseas
Christian Covile - 6-4 shooting guard last 3 yrs overseas averaging > 20 pts per game in iceland league
Alex Heath - 2018 grad of Garfield heights; 5-8 PG , 5.5 assists per game - playing at Lincoln Trail College

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

No. The depth isn't there. The big guy on the gray team would get eaten alive by professional bigs.

LOL. He was probably 6-2 at the tallest, but he could really shoot 3 pt shots as well as had a great post up game. Looks were deceiving.
Wayne Holmes picked the right mix of players for their style.


Of the 4 top teams, There weren't really many true 6-9 bigs. No one played a post up game, passing to a big - just dribble drive. Sometimes opponents made 0 passes before a shot! Team defense was so bad that Wayne Holmes guys got easy open looks from 3.



When other teams play 1 on 1 dribble drive and take difficult shots that don't always fall, it equals the odds for less talented teams who play together and can shoot.

If you are interested in the rosters, they are at:
http://www.clevelandakronampro.com/i...d=6&Itemid=113

There are some overseas pros. Usually a couple of players per team. Last year, I met a 6-10 guy who could really shoot. He was ex-d1 and playing in Switzerland. Some played MAC level, others played D2 or D3. Looks like D3 can have entire teams in the league.

FYI A few members from Toddy Bs:
Todd Brown played for Wright State - Has played overseas for 9 years - currently in canadian NBL
Jamil Dudley played at Lake Erie. Not sure if he is playing anywhere.
Jason Pitts played last two years for Akron Aviators of ABA?