Wittenberg basketball gets help on the perimeter

With the loss of only one player to graduation, Tigers will get perimeter depth from new recruits.

Shawnee High School's Justin Williams (21) grabs a rebound in front of Kenton Ridge's Randon McNeil. Williams is one of four guards in the 2009 recruiting class who have committed to play basketball at Wittenberg next season. Staff photo by Barbara J. Perenic

Barbara J. Perenic Shawnee High School's Justin Williams (21) grabs a rebound in front of Kenton Ridge's Randon McNeil. Williams is one of four guards in the 2009 recruiting class who have committed to play basketball at Wittenberg next season. Staff photo by Barbara J. Perenic

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By David Jablonski, Staff Writer Updated 8:50 AM Thursday, June 11, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — Last year’s Wittenberg men’s basketball recruiting class was heavy on height, so it only makes sense that this year’s group includes only one forward and two players taller than 6-foot-3.

“We felt we needed some perimeter players both this coming year and the year after,” coach Bill Brown said.

The Tigers finished 13-13 last season, and they lost only one senior to graduation, Kevin Murray.

The 2009-10 team will also benefit from the return of Gregg Hill, the team’s leading scorer two seasons ago, from injury.

That means there won’t be as much pressure for the 10 incoming freshmen, a group that includes Shawnee’s Justin Williams and Southeastern’s Eli Pavlatos, to contribute right away.

“Our belief in the people we have coming back would point to the fact that we weren’t looking for a lot of immediate help next year,” Brown said, “but the place where we thought we needed help was in shooting the basketball.”

These players could provide that:

• Steven Heatherly, a 6-3 wing from Mishawaka High School (Ind.) averaged 14.5 points per game as a senior and finished his career as his school’s all-time leading 3-point shooter.

“He can shoot the basketball, knows how to play and appears to be highly competitive,” Brown said.

• David Hieber, a 6-7 wing from Perrysburg, averaged 17.7 points and 7 rebounds and hit 54 3-pointers in 21 games.

“He has excellent size for a perimeter player and can really shoot the basketball,” Brown said. “David comes from a highly competitive program and should have every opportunity to play early on in our program.”

• Kevin Tolle, a 6-5 guard from Clayton Northmont, made 44-of-123 3-pointers as a senior and averaged 12.7 points and 7.6 rebounds.

• Lucas McKean, a 6-1 guard from Northwestern High in Wayne County, averaged 17 points and 4 assists last season.

Wittenberg opens the season at home Nov. 17 against Clermont College.