Two St. Louis Natives Strengthen the Bench
(St. Louis, MO) – Could superior depth help Austin Peay compete with the power teams at Belmont, Murray State and Jacksonville State? Can two St. Louis natives provide enough instant offense to lift the Governors to greater heights?
Coach Matt Figger thinks so.
APSU has seven returners, a host of outstanding recruits and a star player in sophomore Terry Taylor. In Figger’s first season the Governors finished fourth and Taylor was named ‘Freshman of the Year’. Their 19-14 record established their best regular season finish since 2011.
Two reasons for last season’s success were the emergence of St. Louis natives Zach Glotta and Steve Harris. The then-juniors emerged from anonymity to become vital parts of Figger’s bench brigade. Glotta, a fierce competitor and outstanding three-point shooter is a coach’s son and Figger and Taylor say the 6′ senior who led the Govs with 57 triples, is a tireless worker.
Glotta whose brother plays for D2 Maryville University, achieved all-state status while playing for his father Charles, at St. Louis’ Fort Zumwalt North.
Harris from legendary St. Louis program Webster Groves is a slasher and elite defender. Figger says Harris’ game expanded as his confidence grew. Taylor says Harris contributes on the floor and in the locker room.
The two St. Louis natives are ‘energy guys’ for Figger. A third St. Louisian is forward Richard Henderson.
Governor Depth & Newcomers
Starters Dayton Gumm and Chris Porter-Bunton started all but one OVC game and provide experience, scoring and defense. They combined to accumulate 80 steals. Gumm’s 10.3 scoring average is second amongst returning Governors. Porter-Bunton averaged 7.9 points and 4.4 rebounds last season.
Figger’s pressure defense and physical play requires depth and size. His incoming recruits should help with Figger’s style.
Freshmen Antwan Butler and 7′ Matheus Silveira both come to Clarksville with strong with great potential. Transfers Jabari McGhee (Western Kentucky), Isaiah Hart (Motlow College) and Eli Abaev (Eastern Florida State) provide experience. Abaev was ranked as the 46th best junior college recruit (jucorecruits.com).
Figger tells us he’s excited about his team’s depth.
Star Power in Taylor
Taylor is an elite OVC talent. By outpointing Murray State’s Ja Morant as the ‘freshman of the year’ Taylor has launched the beginning of an historic Governor career. He averaged 15.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. His 291 rebounds were an APSU freshman record and his 530 points were second best.
The 6’5 lefty made 44% of his three-point attempts and led the Governors in minutes played.
Figger says Taylor has a knack for rebounding has ‘throw-back’ kind of game. Taylor says Figger wants him to work on ball handling and perimeter defense.
Austin Peay was picked fourth in the OVC’s preseason poll and the Governors have ‘scheduled up’ by taking on Southeastern Conference foes Mississippi State and Arkansas. They also travel to Jamaica for the Jersey Mike’s Classic.
The three returning starters and St. Louis natives are the veterans are Figger’s nucleus and his high-level recruits can help APSU climb higher.
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As we near the closing of the portal window, we've reached 1900. Some of them never to play college basketball again, earn a college degree and some to play at a much lower level than they did last season.
I guess we'll be seeing this in a @RacersHoops uniform this year. Glad AJ is staying in the @ValleyHoops.
