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News13’s Stephen Gunter is committed to giving you stories of the Panhandle’s top athletes, intriguing match-ups and unusual sports you may not even know exist.
sgunter@wmbb.com

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Chipola Impress Division I Coaches

MARIANNA - The Chipola College Men’s basketball team knows if you’re a state champion, you get a lot of attention.

Fifty-two Division I basketball coaches have already scouted Chipola practices this summer.

Four months after Chipola won the Junior College state title, Marianna is still the talk of the country.  Four more D-I college coaches watched practice on Thursday including University of Illinois head coach Bruce Webber, Iowa State University assistant coach T.J. Lasselberger, Duquesne coach Greg Gary and a coach from UNLV.

“With the success of our kids that had been in the program the colleges want to come in and look at these kids,” Chipola head coach Greg Heiar said.  “They are college ready when they leave Chipola.”

“A lot of talented players here,” Chipola forward Mario West said.  “We work hard everyday, non- stop so coaches come to see the best players.”

The Indians lost the national player of the year, JaMarcus Ellis, and DeAndre Thomas to Indiana University, Johnnie Harris to New Mexico, Victor Dubovitsky will be playing overseas, Michael Vogler to Troy and point guard Ed Berrios to University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Clevin Hannah, who transferred from Paris Junior College (TX), said that he’d like to play at any school where he can make an impact on next year.

“Ohio state, they lost their point guard, Mike Connelly,” Hannah said.  “So that’d be the best option I’ve got.”

“I just want to go where I can get better and go to the next level,” West said.

It’s not just the stud players that are being recruited.  Coach Heiar said that he’s had five red shirt freshman sign Division I scholarships after leaving Chipola College since he’s been there.

Former Arnold High School point guard Tyler Schwab hopes to be one of those guys.

“I just want to take the chance to play college basketball,” Schwab said.  “Coach Heiar said I could walk-on and red shirt, I took the chance.”

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