Brand New Year for Ireland
A lot can change in a year.
At this time last year Anthony Ireland was fighting to get on the Division I radar. He didn’t have any scholarship offers at the time and was only hearing from local Connecticut schools.
Fast forward a year and Ireland is one of the region’s most heavily recruited point guards.
“Two things really happened,” Ireland said. “First, I just worked hard on my game in the last year and second the exposure I got over this past summer definitely helped me a lot.”
That exposure came when running the point for the New England Playaz as they had their latest terrific season, finishing with a record of 30-5 on the season and advancing all the way to the finals of the Adidas Super 64 Tournament in Las Vegas.
Ireland also credits playing for head coach John Carroll, the former head coach at Duquesne University and of the Boston Celtics, for helping his game reach new levels.
“Playing for Coach Carroll bettered my chances of playing college basketball because he really helped me to understand the game more,” he said. “I got a lot better at limiting my turnovers and playing smart on the floor.”
Ireland’s play steadily improved throughout the course of the grassroots season and culminated in July when the Playaz were competing on some of the biggest stages in the country.
Needless to say the talented guard was no longer having problems attracting the attention of college coaches. Now he boasts an impressive list that literally stretches from coast to coast.
“I’m hearing the most from LMU [Loyola Marymount], St. Bonaventure, VCU, LaSalle, and Temple,” Ireland said. “Everyone but Temple has offered.”
But Ireland’s journey is far from over as he recently arrived at the Winchendon School for a post-graduate year.
“It’s real nice so far,” he told the New England Recruiting Report, “and playing at Winchendon for the year could open more options.”
All indications are that Ireland will have every opportunity to be a big part of what promises to be a very good Winchendon team this year.
“I’m really happy to have him,” said Winchendon head coach Mike Byrnes. “He never gets flustered, plays with great composure, and makes big free-throws down the stretch.”
Ireland is in no hurry to make a decision and said he won’t mind if he doesn’t end up signing until the late signing period in the spring.
“I just want to find someplace where I can play, fit in, and play my style,” he said. “I’m happy with the group of schools I have right now but I never say I’m satisfied.”
Anthony Ireland