Hoop dreams: 10 PG players sign D1 scholarships

It’s become a second-Wednesday-of-November tradition at Fishburne Military School.

“It means the program is progressing. We’re doing the right things. We have guys matriculating on to four-year schools and universities,” said FMS postgrad basketball coach Ed Huckaby, who saw 10 of his players sign letters of intent with Division I college programs on Wednesday.

The Caissons, ranked in the top five nationally on a stong 6-0 start to the 2011-2012 season, have their sights set on the program’s first national championship. The volume of players moving on to the next level shows why the talk about a national title is in the realm of the realistic.

“We’re underestimated right now,” said point guard Teven Jones, a 6’0″, 180-pounder from Kannapolis, N.C., who signed today with the University of Virginia to be part of a top-10 recruiting class for coach Tony Bennett.

Jones himself came in underestimated – without any significant scholarship offers following his senior season. He admitted to feeling like “giving up” at times in his senior season, before surreally becoming a hot prospect in the summer.

Two Caissons will be heading to Illinois-Chicago – 6’8″, 225-pound forward Jake Wiegand and 7’0″, 235-pound center Matt Gorski.

“I just fell in love with the coaching staff. They showed me a good time while I was up there. They showed me how their guys get to work every day. And it’s a great academic school. I know I’m going to get a great degree from there,” Gorski said.

Academics were also important to Cortell Busby, a 6’2″, 190-pound point guard who signed today with Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis – and his parents.

“The academic portion is very important to us. With the success that Cortell is going to experience there with the team, the academic aspect is a tremendous plus,” said his father, Tony.

Class of 2012 Signees

Teven Jones University of Virginia
Cortell Busby IUPUI
Jackson Trapp Winthrop
Khalil Alford Rider
Chris Bryant Florida Atlantic
Spencer Parker Bowling Green
Matt Gorski Illinois-Chicago
Jake Wiegand Illinois-Chicago
Josh Warren Tennesee-Chattanooga
Mo Camera Winston-Salem State

Link to Video Gallery featuring interviews with all 10 FMS signees.