SPIRE is proud to announce the ongoing achievements of its former prep basketball team players who have transitioned to college basketball this season. Last year, SPIRE’s prep basketball team boasted a remarkable 34-6 overall record, earning recognition as one of the best in the country. This success is now evident as all players have successfully ventured into collegiate basketball, where they are demonstrating outstanding performances.

Among the notable achievements, Trent Middleton (Ball State University, Division I) has made significant contributions, starting multiple games and averaging 14 minutes and 5 points per game, including a career-high 14 points against Oakland City University.

Similarly, Daniel Pounds (Old Dominion University, Division I) has commenced his freshman year by starting 14 of 15 games, maintaining a remarkable 17 minutes per game and a commendable 50% shooting accuracy from the field.

Former OPC Player of the Year, Keynan Davis (The Citadel, Division I) has recently secured a starting position, averaging 5 points and 20 minutes per game. Davis contributed greatly to The Citadel’s 20-point victory over powerhouse Notre Dame.

Xavier Martinez (University of Colorado Springs, Division II) in his freshman year, has emerged as a key player, starting 13 of 14 games and showcasing impressive stats, including a 33-minute average per game, a 2:1 assists-to-turnover ratio and an impressive 14 points per game.

Other standout performances include Sam Marbury (Central Wyoming College, Division I JUCO) and Abdoulaye Fall (Cloud County Community College, Division I JUCO) who have consistently demonstrated their skills on the court, contributing significantly to their teams.

At the Division III level, SPIRE alumni continue to shine, with Alex Green (Penn State Beaver) averaging an extraordinary 34 minutes, 14 points and 5 rebounds per game. Moreover, being named team captain as a freshman is a testament to Green’s leadership qualities. Max Markgraf  (Cornell College) started his college basketball journey by being a consistent presence on the court for their program, playing in every game thus far.

SPIRE emphasizes the success of its “preparing” approach, and it’s evident in the achievements of these former students at the collegiate level. According to SPIRE’s prep head coach Jeff Sparrow, “In an ever changing college basketball landscape, it is harder than ever to play as a freshman, let alone START. All of the players listed had incredible experiences and all shared a growth mindset which helped them develop rapidly. Their college readiness is directly correlated to their post grad year at SPIRE. The culture, day-to-day routine and accountability of our program turned these boys into men. 2022-2023 will go down as one of the deepest, most coachable teams in SPIRE history.”