Recruiting Efforts

The Mount seems to be doing another good job of locking down players for the future, having netted three verbal commitments for next season.

The staff at the Mount isn't allowed to comment on the players or any recruits until after a letter of intent is in hand. The early signing period for basketball isn't until November, so we won't hear anything from the Mount until at least then.

But word does tend to get out. Sometimes through local news accounts from the players and sometimes through internet recruiting sites. Recruitrecon.com (formerly caa Insider) does a real nice job tracking recruiting info for the Mid-Atlantic states.

The first Mount commitment came from point guard Justin Burrell. His height probably kept many schools away, he's only 5-8, but the Mount has proven that small guys can succeed in the NEC. Burrell will push Lamar Trice for the starting pg position next season when 5-9 Jeremy Goode departs. All reports show Burrell as a quick guard with good range on his jump shot.

Next up the Mount nabbed a committment from 6-4 guard Jeff James. James spent the end of his junior season and Bowie High School and will compete their this winter, but it one of those under the radar guys. He's got good athleticism and an ability to score the ball and should fit well into Milan Brown's scheme at the Mount.

The final commitment came from Donte Morales. The 6-5 wing will likely remind many of current Mountaineer Kelly Beidler. He comes from the same Virginia Beach area, and has some of the same athletic abilities. Morales is prepping this year Fishburne Military after opting not to attend the Air Force Academy. He graduated from Landstown High School in the spring, where he averaged nearly 20 points and nine rebounds a game during his senior season. He has good range on his jump shot and the ability to get to the basket. Along with the offer from Air Force, he had an offer from Radford, and interet from VMI, Old Dominion, James Madison and Western Carolina. It seems he will be a good fit for the Mounties.