Guest mffl Posted May 6, 2009 Report Posted May 6, 2009 Talk about it in the Message Boards It never fails that someone will mention Willie Warren, Keith Langford or Kevin Langford to North Crowley coach Tommy Brakel. That trio helped build North Crowley into the respectable state basketball powerhouse. But it's the lesser-known names that come through North Crowley that seem to make Brakel's job worthwhile. Although this year's team doesn't include a high-major signee, it does have five players – and a possible sixth and seventh – who will suit up as college basketball players next season. Southern signee Tony McGilveary Brakel this season has witnessed swingman Tony McGilveary sign with Southern, forward Justin Wesley sign with Lamar, guard Nathan Tigner sign with Division II Colorado State-Pueblo and guard Gerald Pearson sign with Trinidad State Junior College in Trinidad, Colo. Brakel also has big man Larry Stitle headed to Division III Mary-Hardin Baylor, forward Dontee' Kinney weighing junior college options and guard/forward Delon Turner considering walking on at Stephen F. Austin. "Giving these kids basketball as a tool and an opportunity to better their lives … to me, that's what it's all about," Brakel said. "We're preparing kids to play on the next level and giving basketball the chance to change their lives positively. A lot of these kids wouldn't be going to college period if they weren't playing basketball." There's one fact about the North Crowley program that really makes Brakel smile as a coach and mentor. In the last 10 seasons, 36 players have gone on to play college basketball. Keith Langford has had a stint in the NBA and has played overseas. Warren, who guided North Crowley to a UIL 5A state title in 2008, is coming off a spectacular freshman season at the University of Oklahoma. "Even before we won the state championship, we always took a lot of pride in the guys because we felt like we were teaching them the right things," Brakel said. "We were teaching them to play the right way." Wesley could be best 'Langford' of all Because his last name isn't Langford, Justin Wesley often times doesn't receive the recognition he deserves. North Crowley's Justin Wesley Wesley, a 6-8 forward, is the half-brother of Keith and Kevin Langford, two of North Crowley's finest basketball alumni. His name isn't as recognizable, but Tommy Brakel believes his game could be after a couple of years of fine-tuning at Lamar. "Lamar got such a steal with him," Brakel said of Wesley, who averaged 9.7 points and a team-high 6.6 rebounds. "I was talking to Wake Forest about him. His upside is tremendous, and he wants to get better." Wesley signed with Lamar but also had interest from Oklahoma State, Baylor, Oklahoma and Tulane. His ability to rebound on both ends and block shots using his athleticism makes him a very intriguing player as he prepares for the Southland Conference. Wesley lived in the Fort Worth area until the eighth grade, when he and his mother moved to the Houston area (he attended Klein Collins). When Hurricane Ike blew through the Gulf Coast area, they moved back to Fort Worth to live with family. He found himself at the school he originally thought he'd attend – North Crowley. "To me personally, everything came full circle," Brakel said. "It only seemed right for him to play his senior year at North Crowley."
Guest coachacola Posted May 6, 2009 Report Posted May 6, 2009 Thanks for the info mffl. Here's the ESPN (scouts.com) evaluation of him: November, 2008: Because of his size and skill level he is going to demand some Mid-Major recruitment, but will be more of a contributor a step below. He is a 6-8 wing that struggled to consistently score during a lot of the tournament. He is a finesse type that is more comfortable facing up to the basket and will probably be better suited at the next level as a face up 4-man. He is long and has decent quickness for his size; weak physically. Scouts Grade: 74 Position Rank: 176 He may not contribute much as a freshman.
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