Two New Hampton Forwards off the Board

NewEnglandBasketballServices.com | Thursday, October 5th, 2006

When New England Basketball Services was in the New Hampton gym earlier this year we came away thinking Guy Alang Ntang was a potential high major recruit. Even after going through two hours of conditioning earlier that day Alang Ntang was still knocking down threes, driving to the basket for dunks, and scoring on the block. The only problem was that because he had not played during the July “live” period not many people had heard of him. Those who did seemed to all say the same thing, “If he waits until the Spring he will go to the highest level.” Well give credit to Wichita State Head Coach Mark Turgeon and first year Assistant Coach Scott Spinelli for scooping him up before it got to that point and beating out Big East programs that were already making a push to get a commitment.

Wichita State’s recruiting is clearly feeling the benefit of their terrific 2005-2006 season when they went 26-9 overall, 14-4 in the emerging Missouri Valley Conference, advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament, and finished ranked 21st in the final ESPN/USA Today Poll. Alang Ntang joins fellow New England Prep product 6’2 guard Evan Baker from MCI in Maine as high major level talents who have already committed to the Shockers for the upcoming year. With Coach Turgeon signing a long term contract extension this summer, the addition of Coach Spinelli, and the newfound ability to out-recruit programs in high major conferences, Wichita State may be well on it’s way to becoming the Gonzaga of the Midwest.

Another New Hampton forward, 6’5 Andre Hardy, also announced his plans for the next four years by selecting San Francisco in his native California. Hardy is a very strong and athletic forward who does his best work close to the basket. He rebounds well, scores inside, and is also effective putting the ball on the floor from the perimeter. He should be versatile enough on both ends of the floor to play either forward position for San Francisco Head Coach Jesse Evans.

Alang-Ntang and Hardy join teammates Darryl Ashford Jr. (6’3, G, Texas Tech) and Mike Howlett (6’9, F, Lehigh) on New Hampton Head Coach Jamie Arsenault’s roster as players who have already concluded their recruiting. The foursome is joined by 6’3 senior guard Robbie Hanzlik, 6’9 junior center Orion Outerbridge, 6’2 junior point guard Michael Topercer, and 6’6 junior forward Patrick Saunders to form the core of the New Hampton rotation. New Hampton will open their season on Saturday, November 18th at 10:45 a.m. versus Champlain St. Lambert of Montreal, Canada in the National Prep Showcase.