West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[Columbuseer]

I think folks will be impressed by the development of Ben Sarson.
He has gotten much stronger, faster and quicker. He is matched against Bryce Butler in open gym. This high level competition has really helped him develop. Both have non-stop motors so they have knock down drag out battles on the court. He has reduced fouling too.

Can't wait until nov.

[Columbuseer]

FYI
Highlights of Alek West at Ohio Dominican. Had a triple double in at least one game.
https://t.co/Hvux2YX5fp

Caveat: Of course, it is axiomatic that no one misses a shot in highlights LOL

[Columbuseer]

Alek West is another 6-4 player who could make an impact at wlu.
averaged 16 pts, 6.1 rebounds and 5.7 assists at ohio dominican. Unselfish, great vision, high motor.
Score inside and out.
Suitors included Ferris St., Lincoln Mem., grand valley, to name a few.

[Columbuseer]

6-4 Michael Sampson is another southpaw transfer who could make a big impact at wlu.
He started every game in 2 seasons at Notre Dame College.
He scored more than 500 points and grabbed over 400 rebounds during those two seasons while shooting 63 percent (215-of-341) from the floor. He led NDC in rebounds (8.1 rpg.), steals and blocks while ranking second on the team with 75 assists this season. He had 16 double-figure scoring games and 10 double-figure rebound games.
He got 15-rebounds in an 82-81 upset of West Liberty and a career-high 22-points against D&E. Sampson finished the season ranked among the Top 5 in the MEC in Offensive Rebounds, Defensive Rebounds and Steals.

He is very athletic, complete player. He appears to be another player who could blossom in the uptempo wlu style.

[Columbuseer]

Probably should have been rs frosh. Unless they are using academic yr but ignoring covid year.

[Layton]

[Columbuseer]

Roster is up.
https://hilltoppersports.com/sports/...ketball/roster

2 sr/gr. - mckinney and cannady
3 fr. - Woodard, barnhart and dronjak
Hinds 6-8, Woodard 6-7, dronjak 6-6, Sarson 6-6

All the bigs can really run.
losing team in open gym runs sprints. Woodward was clearly in lead, followed closely by McKinney! Surprising!

[Layton]

Great pickup for the ladies https://twitter.com/rvinskovich/stat...lvKbqjCp-7qo8w

[Columbuseer]

FYI
More info on commit Terrance Pankey Jr.
4 yr starter
jr stats:
19 pts avg
12 rebounds avg
4 assists avg
52.6% FG

Very unselfish for such an athletic and talented scorer.
Uses the jump stop effectively to avoid charging fouls. Rare skill these days.


Highlights:
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/1335843...b31b13cc3611e0

Disclaimer for all commits:
At the risk of being Admiral Obvious, following caveats apply:

- prep performance does not guarantee future college success
- d1 offers do not guarantee d2 success
- great prep players frequently need more strength and experience to excel at college level.
- Some players will discover they would rather be a big fish in a little pond and will transfer.
- transfer portal has reduced leverage of prep players in recruiting process.
- verbal commit is not a signed letter of intent.

[Columbuseer]

FIBA U23 world rankings of usa men
2 wallace
108 thomas
115 bryce butler
121 Austin butler
137 Dixon
148 Arcidiacono

[Columbuseer]

Bryce Butler's ranking improved after this tourney, from 41st in usa to 25th. Impressive for just 21 years old.

Ranking Points

67,391

World Ranking

322nd

Nationality: United States

25th

Country: United States

25th

Category: Open Men

289th

Category: U23 Men

115th

[Columbuseer]

By winning 4 of the six stops (days), USA is the FIBA u23 3x3
nations league Americas champion. Next stop is Rumania Sept 14-16.

Bryce played a major role. He scored 10 pts in stop 6 with USA winning 21-12 over PR.
one highlight of Bryce:

https://twitter.com/i/status/1560676117832679424

[Columbuseer]

Usa with Bryce, 2 Villanova guys, and Thomas from portland state greatly improved over the course of the day and won the finals 21-12 over Puerto Rico.
usa has won 3 of the 5 days.
Last day is tomorrow. Chances are good that they will be one of 2 teams selected from americas to go to Romania for the world championship.
Bryce is playing great against both bigs and quick guards. No time for help defense in 3x3.

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
day 5 1st usa game.
Bryce playing with Dixon, Arcidiacono and Thomas. First day that austin butler and wallace have not played.
bryce not letting ball stick was key to hard fought win over Venezuela 19-16.
his teammates today need to make faster offense to defense transition and crash boards more.
strongest combo are wallace, butler bros, and thomas.
first usa game starts at 16:00 of stream
https://youtu.be/SxNaIgR0_gE

Chris	Arcidiacono	22	6-4	Villanova	Langhorne, PA
Austin	Butler	23	6-5	Charlotte	Latrobe, PA
Bryce	Butler	21	6-5	West Liberty	Latrobe, PA
Eric	Dixon	21	6-8	Villanova	Willow Grove, PA
Khalid	Thomas	22	6-10	Portland State	Salem, OR
Keaton	Wallace	23	6-3	Agua Caliente Clippers	Dallas, TX

[Columbuseer]

3x3 tourney update day 4

Scored tied in semis at 16 with 22 secs left, Bryce makes beautiful pass from top of key on back door cut to wallace to win the game against very talented Dominican Republic.
here is video - go to last game.
https://youtu.be/F5okclxhOpQ

in day 4 finals usa easily beat Venezuela.
USA has won days 2 and 4, going undefeated, which incidentally are the only days that Bryce played.
He is having to play 6-9 powerful men inside, which is invaluable experience.