Verdejo Gets Test; Scorer Deluxe Available
Temple University's loss was the Winchendon School's gain this fall. Three days before the start of school, Winchendon Head Coach Mike Byrnes received a phone call. Jesus Verdejo, a 6-foot-4 sharpshooter from Puerto Rico, was available and back on the open market.
Byrnes scooped up Verdejo, who put up terrific scoring numbers the past two winters at the Miami Christian School in Florida, and he's expecting big things from him this year.
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"When he has his feet under him, I want him to shoot it," Byrnes said. "When he has the hot hand, he will get his shots, but they will come in the flow of the offense."
That will be the biggest adjustment for Verdejo, who had the green light to shoot when he wanted at MCS. He's now on a squad loaded with Division I prospects, and Byrnes isn't known to play favorites.
While Temple is still involved with Verdejo this fall, Byrnes expects Jesus to take all five of his official visits after the basketball season. East Carolina, South Alabama, South Florida and Baylor are among a handful of schools that have contacted Byrnes regarding Verdejo.
Byrnes only expects that list to grow this winter if Verdejo has a terrific campaign for the Green Wave. The fact that Verdejo recently qualified academically should only help matters.
"He will be recruited by high majors," Byrnes said. "I think a lot more people will get on him after the War on the Shore."
Russ Blake is the publisher of Juco Junction