Spiders snare big man

New Richmond Spiders coach Chris Mooney had to be celebrating this week after landing his first recruit. Mooney ventured into the Atlantic 10 stronghold of Philadelphia, PA to land a coveted frontcourt prospect. Rivals.com has the story.

It didn't take long for 6-foot-9 Springfield HS senior forward Dan Geriot to make up his mind after finishing an official visit to Richmond this past weekend.

"He did it on Sunday," Dan's father Bob Geriot said. "We were down over the weekend, and the whole process has been a heck of a ride. He had 19 scholarship offers this summer. He cut it down to 5 schools and told me that he wanted to take all of the visits. But after the trip this weekend, his first, he said 'Dad, I want to go here'. I was shocked to be honest."

Geriot played for Philly MJC this past spring and summer and was instrumental in several deep tournament runs with his strong play inside. Geriot had been considered, primarily a perimeter big man, but he worked hard inside this past year and proved himself a very effective scorer and rebounder in the paint. He has excellent hands and a superb touch around the basket, with range that extends out to the three point line.

It seems, the combination of Richmond's beautiful campus and the new coaching staff at Richmond sold Geriot almost immediately.

"We were sitting down there and he leaned over to me and said, 'I know this is the place. I need to do it'. I told him to wait until we got home so he could think about it, but he said that when he got down there, he just knew."

"Coach Mooney is a fantastic guy," Geriot continued. "They got a late start in recruiting on the east coast, and he got a call about Dan this summer. They saw him play, and thought he'd fit in well. I really think that they are a success story waiting to happen, and I think it's going to happen for them at Richmond. The staff and the facilities are first class all the way."

Geriot took an unofficial visit to Richmond back in August. At that time, Richmond was the only school on his list that hadn't offered a scholarship. However, things change quickly in recruiting and Geriot received his offer soon after his unofficial.

Geriot had to cancel visits with his other suitors, Siena, Vermont, UNC-Wilmington, and Toledo, this week.

"That was really tough," Bob Geriot said. "You establish relationships with these coaches and it's like breaking up with a girlfriend. I couldn't believe, throughout the process, how nice all of these guys were. I was really impressed with all of the coaches who recruited Dan."

Geriot averaged 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks per game last season for Springfield. He led them to an 18-8 record before losing in the district playoffs.

Geriot is an excellent student who has already qualified for freshman elligibility.