Eric Hampford:
Future150 GM / Senior National Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball.
Prestonburg, KY (Future150) -- Everyone knows how crazy the state of Kentucky is about their basketball. Whether it be the state's fierce fan rivalry between the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky, the tradition and national following of the Wildcats known as "Big Blue Nation", or its natives love of high school hoops, Kentucky is without a doubt a state fascinated by roundball action.
While he was lost in the shuffle in a season dominated by John Calipari's national champion Kentucky Wildcats, 2014 small forward Shane Hall quietly began showing signs that another hoops hero is ready to steal headlines in the state.
The 6'8", 205-pound swingman plays for Johnson Central High School in the rural eastern side of the state, so naturally, he isn't a household name across the country. That is beginning to change.
As a sophomore, the lanky and extremely athletic prospect dominated regionally, averaging 17 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks each game for Johnson Central.
He led the Golden Eagles to a 15th Region Championship over Ashley Ridge, where he wowed everyone in attendance by pouring in 34 points and grabbing nine rebounds. One fan in attendance just happened to be Indiana coach Tom Crean, who definitely came away impressed by the talented youngster.
Along with the Hoosiers, several more high-major schools have been pursuing the hidden gem. Kentucky, Tennessee, Cincinnati, Florida, Louisville, BYU, Purdue, UAB, Xavier, Wake Forest, and Marshall have all been showing interest in the sophomore, and he hopes to continue to accumulate interest from more programs while he suits up with Hoop Dreams AAU program this summer.
While only Northern Kentucky and Miami (Ohio) have offered him scholarships thus far, that is sure to change as he continues to improve. However, you won't find him worrying about that. He's more concerned with getting better.
"I want to improve my shot, and I want to win some big tournaments."
While Shane Hall may be a quiet kid more concerned with winning than he is with making headlines, his game is far from quiet. You've been warned.
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Comments:
I AM SURE AFTER SEEING SHANE PLAY COACH CREAN WILL BE SIGNING HIM UP WHEN HE COMES FOR A VISIT
IT WOULD BE GREAT IF SHANE COULD SEE HOOSIER HYSTERIA MIDNIGHT PRACTICE 10-20-12