Heat is Rising
by Andrew Force, Future150 (11:15 PM CT, Mon March 23, 2015)

Atlanta, GA (Future150) -- Georgia-based AAU team, Heat Check finished 2014 with 70 wins.  Prominent scorer, Jordan Lyons will lead them into battle next month.

"I have been with Heat Check since I was 12," said Lyons.  "Since I have been with Jerome (Weaver) since I was 12 I have a relationship with him that is a lot stronger.  Heat Check is personal to me.  I have a lot of pride in Heat Check."

Coach Weaver welcomes back A.J. Cheeseman, Lyons, Kai Lambert, Zac Orr, and others.

He is elated to add the bouncy Adam Saeed. 

"Explosive," said Coach Weaver.  "This weekend he dunked one from his feet.  He took the ball down to his feet and brought it back up.  I have never seen anything like it before."

Heat Check 17u has also added Malik Chandler (Shiloh) and Darrion Taylor (Archer).

The 5'10" Chandler is a right-handed point guard.  Taylor can play either guard position.  Both come from winning high school programs.

Checking on the Young Heat

Coach Weaver is also fond of his 15u team. 

"Zach Pina from Starr's Mill was Freshman of the Year," said Coach Weaver. 

Kevin Kayongo is another Class of 2018 member.  Coach Weaver sees Kayongo (6'3") as a high major guy down the line. 

After his final AAU season, Lyons will pass the Heat Check torch off to these youngsters.

Lyons roar

"We are going to be ready to play anybody at anytime," said Lyons.  "We just want to play good defense like we are supposed to." 

This winter Lyons was remarkable.  His McIntosh team powered through an undefeated regular season, dropping out of the playoffs only when starting PG Will Washington III broke his wrist.  The game was tight and the loss was demoralizing.

Lyons is currently the most heavily recruited player with Heat Check.  South Alabama and Radford are ramping up their interest in Lyons.

"Those two are really strong," said Lyons.  "They might offer soon.  I would like to think so."

The guard has seven current offers, including the most recent from Wofford.  He visited Troy University on February 28th.

Lyons' friend and teammate, A.J. Cheeseman has also heard from Wofford. 

True Interest

College coaches have a difficult job.  They try to show maximum interest to recruits, while keeping the scholarships available for their first choices. 

This can result in a disconnect with the words they use and the actions they take. 

'We love your game and want to get out to your games,' can mean, 'We are hoping two guys better than you sign with us.  If not, please accept our offer.'

Heat Check PF A.J. Cheeseman picked up an Abilene Christian offer recently. 

"From the time I met them they sent me handwritten mail," said Cheeseman.  "That is the stuff I like."

Cheeseman visited Wofford. 

"It was beautiful," said Cheeseman.  "It was small.  That is what I wanted.  I want to go to small school. It was a nice, calm campus."

Ideally Chesseman would find a school that allows him to focus hard on his academics and basketball.  Wofford fits that mold.

"I know that I would be able to focus," said Cheeseman.  "Wofford is not supposed to be a party school."

He has significant interest from several other division one schools.

"Wofford, Austin Peay, Gardner-Webb," listed Cheeseman.  "Lehigh has called."

Murray State has extended introductory interest.  Austin Peay made sure Cheeseman has a passing SAT score and good grades.

The 6'6" power forward is amped for the AAU campaign. 

"I think we will be very good," said Cheeseman.  "I think we will better than last year's team because we are more organized and play better defense."

For a team that won 70 games to be better...is saying something.