Williams, Pavlatos to play hoops at Witt

Shawnee and Southeastern seniors commit to Tigers.

Staff Photo by Barbara J. Perenic Justin Williams (21) of Shawnee has committed to continue his playing career at Wittenberg.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By David Jablonski, Staff Writer Updated 8:10 AM Friday, May 8, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — By cracking the starting lineup as freshmen last season, Michael Cooper and Josh McKee proved how valuable recruiting local talent can be for the Wittenberg University men’s basketball program.

In the 2009-10 season, two more local players will have a chance to make an early mark.

Seniors Justin Williams of Shawnee High School and Eli Pavlatos of Southeastern will play basketball for the Tigers, Wittenberg coach Bill Brown said Wednesday, May 6.

“We feel really good about these two local players,” Brown said. “Justin and Eli are just terrific kids.”

The 6-foot-1 Williams averaged 15.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game as a senior and was named Clark County Mr. Basketball.

“We think he’s a hidden gem,” Brown said. “He’s got an element of physicality that not a lot of high school seniors have.”

Brown said Williams will play point guard, a position he hasn’t played since early in his high school career. That’s fine with Williams.

“You get the ball in your hands every play,” Williams said. “It’s nice to have control like that, to get to set things up.”

Pavlatos played six games in his senior year before tearing his ACL. He averaged 13.7 points per game as a junior and shot 36.4 percent from 3-point range.

“He’s got to get stronger physically, but he knows how to get a shot,” Brown said. “He’s got a lot of confidence in his ability to shoot.”

Pavlatos said the rehabilitation is going well and he could be cleared to play by July. He knows that improving his strength is a top priority after he gets his knee healthy.

“That’s the main focus for me between now and next year,” Pavlatos said.

Pavlatos will play at the alma mater of his high school coach, P.J. Bertemes. Pavlatos is the first Southeastern player in Bertemes’ four years at the Trojans helm to play basketball at the college level.

“I think it’s a great opportunity,” Bertemes said. “It’ll be a good fit for him.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0351 or djablonski@coxohio.com.

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