49ers strike paydirt in Wabash Valley

Coach Bobby Lutz’s Charlotte 49ers have received commitments from two outstanding athletes from South Carolina, both of whom are now sophomores at Wabash Valley College.

Two former Palmetto State high school basketball Players of the Year as seniors, and both now standouts at Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel, Ill., have informed Charlotte that they plan to sign national letters in November.

Massive 6-foot-7, 285-pound center Antwon Coleman, who made all-state in football and basketball, and was the South Carolina Class A basketball Player of the Year in 2003, called Coach Lutz earlier this morning to make his commitment to the 49ers.

Several days ago, Coleman’s Wabash Valley teammate, 6-foot-six, 215-pound wing forward Jerell Jamison, the state Class AAA Player of the Year as a senior at Cayce, S.C., Brookland Cayce High School in 2003, made his decision to attend UNC Charlotte.

Coleman is the prototypical “wide body,” who uses his huge size and strength to seal off, and create space inside. He is an excellent passer, rebounder, and power player. Plus, he is very adept and stepping out and utilizing his very accurate medium range shooting touch.

According to Wabash Valley head coach Toby Madison, Antwon was the conference co-Freshman Player of the Year last year, averaging 12.7 points, and 7 rebounds. “Antwon will be the key player for our team this year. He reminds me of a Robert “Tractor” Traylor, using his almost 300-pound body, and amazing skills for his size to dominate opponents,” said Madison.

Madison told Rivals.com that Coleman had made an unofficial visit to Indiana, and had been contacted by Purdue, Tennessee, Auburn, and U.A.B., among others.

“I chose Charlotte because I really liked the coaches and players, and they really recruited me the hardest,” said Coleman. “And, Charlotte is very close to my home in Great Falls, S.C., and they will play in the competitive Atlantic 20 Conference.”

Jamison, a high-flying, hard-nosed, explosive athlete, is very strong, and is capable of dunking on anyone. He plays with great intensity, has the versatility to play either wing position, and can score inside or outside. He is expected to fill senior Eddie Basden’s shoes next season at Charlotte.

“Jerell is another key member of our team, and many college coaches missed on him because he was still recovering from a stress fracture during September and could not work out,” said Coach Madison. “However, Charlotte assistant coach Rob Moxley had done his homework, knew of Jerell’s outstanding abilities, and recruited him hard. Jamison does all the non-statistical, valuable things to help our team win, such as take charges, dive after loose balls, defend the other team’s best player, and other intangibles,” said Madison. “He has a phenomenally strong body, and is the ultimate competitor.” Jamison is now fully recovered from his foot injury.

Jamison received offers from College of Charleston, Southern Illinois, and Butler, and, according to Coach Madison, several major colleges were calling him at the time of his commitment to Charlotte.

Both players visited Charlotte the weekend of October 15-17, and attended the 49ers’ “Midnight Madness” opening practice. Ironically, I was at the Charlotte Airport the evening of October 15, returning from San Francisco, and saw Coach Moxley with two “tall young men” in the airport baggage claim area. I later learned that the playerw with Moxley were Antwon Coleman and Jerell Jamison arriving for their visit to Charlotte (the only school they officially visited).

With the addition of these two outstanding junior college players, the 49ers now have three commitments. Last year, promising 6-foot-seven, 230-pound power forward Mitch Mullis, then a junior at Thomasville, N.C., East Davidson High School, made a verbal commitment to Coach Bobby Lutz’s program. Mullis is now enrolled at Laurinburg, N.C. Institute for his senior year.