View the YouTube video
The bar has been set high for first-year
Huntington St. Joseph Prep (W. Va.) head coach Arkell Bruce.
Predecessor Rob Fulford built the program from the ground up, turned the Fighting Irish into a national overnight and recruited one of the most talented prospects of the last decade (Andrew Wiggins) to Huntington – not exactly a high school hoops hotbed.
Until now.
See the entire preseason national Top 25Outside of Findlay Prep, Montverde Academy and Oak Hill Academy, nobody has sent more players to the Division I level over the last five years than Huntington St. Joseph Prep.
Forward Miles Bridges
Photo by Randy Sartin
Despite the coaching change, the talent flow from Huntington to major college programs all over the country will continue under Bruce.
This year's roster is highlighted by a plus-sized front line featuring 6-foot-11
Thomas Bryant, 6-10, 290-pound
Levi Cook and 6-8
Ted Kapita, who could pass for a SEC defensive end.
Newcomer
Karim Ezzeddine, a 6-9 French import, could also be a factor for the Fighting Irish.
"Nobody has better bigs than we do," Bruce said. "We've got a group that's going to be tough to compete with."
Not to be overshadowed, the backcourt has its fair share of firepower as well. Wing
Miles Bridges is a five-star junior prospect and guards
Ronshad Allen-Shabazz and
Curtis Jones can fill it up.
View gallery of Huntington St. Joseph Prep preseason photo shootFreshman guard
Jonathan Kabongo is another intriguing name on the perimeter. He is the younger brother of former Findlay Prep and Texas point man Myck Kabongo.
Huntington St. Joseph Prep's last five years:2013-14 – 28-5, No. 11 final national ranking
2012-13 – 30-3, No. 5 final Academy Top 10 national ranking
2011-12 – 28-2, No. 3 final Academy Top 10 national ranking
2010-11 – 25-3
2009-10 – 27-5
