Hodge gets a Yes on May Day and adds to '09 class
Posted: Friday, May 1, 2009
Ralph Hodge and Tigers Men's Basketball welcome Jake Boyce from Lockport, Ill. to their '09 recruiting class. Jake is a 6'7" 200 lbs. long, inside-out post-player who prepped at Lockport Township High School in Lockport, Ill. Boyce will develop and help bolster the 2009 class from the post positions and will help as a shooter from those positions.
Jake's career was highlighted by his team's fourth place finish in the 2008 4A IHSA State Tournament. Jake was a team captain and started as a senior and had averages which showed he could shoot the ball effectly and rebound. Notably, Boyce was his team's best defender's designated to guarding the opponent's leading scorer. Jake's senior year, his team went undefeated in the WJOL Holiday Tourney at the University of St. Francis (Ill.), they finished in the top eight at the very tough Pontiac Holiday Tournament, and lost in the in double overtime in the Regional Championship. To finish his 2009 campaign he was awarded with two special awards by his team, the "Porter Pride Award", given to the athlete who shows the most discipline, confidence, character, work ethic, etc...; and secondly, the the "Teammmate of the Year", given by his head coach.
Besides a great basketball career, Boyce excelled as a starter and team captain on the volleyball team. He was selected to the All-tournament teams at the Marist Tournament and Warren Tournament. He was also named Player of the Week for the local newspaper in 2009.
Not to mention, Jake will join his brother Matt at ONU in the fall. Matt is currently a junior and is an Offensive Lineman on the football team here for the Tigers.
Boyce will be asked to develop and learn the post positions and be able to man the paint and shoot the basketball. Jake has the size and length to play and guard in the paint, but the skillset to play on the arc. He also can get out and run in transition and can play at the rim. However, his willingness to defend and rebound is most valuable ability. He will be asked to guard and box-out quicker and bigger match-ups and play strong inside, and has several abilities available to do so, which makes him very useful in the Hodge's system.
Nick Birkey
Men's SID
