I headed to South Williamsport for a league game. Jensen had a late practice, and I don’t have many friends. So, I sat in the front row. I didn’t really say much as I was trying to be incognito. I saw an old chum, and we talked about bugs for the entire JV game. It was so good to see Larry Manikowski. I am ready whenever you Monk.
I got a little nervous during the pregame. Several of the Neumann guys came over and gave me some love. I got a hug from Coach Roskowski. The same from Brothers Reed. A few parents. Old friends. Young fans. It was embarrassing. The officials asked what I was doing. Again. My cover was blown. I just wanted to see my boys and hopefully see the KING score his 2,000th point.
The game was fantastic. The crowd was loud. Both teams played well. It was so much fun. I really enjoyed my courtside view. There was one play in particular where my man Davion Hill actually ended up in my lap. We had a great exchange. It was rather comical, and I will not share. He scored his bucket. They stopped the game. It was beautiful. Neumann won. I stayed a good 30 minutes to congratulate my friend. He was busy taking photos with his young fans. Something that he always does. I gave him some props and shared some laughs. My man worked hard for those points.
“Teams will constantly double-team me,” Hill explained. “They try to deny me the ball. I get it. This opens up my teammates. I am trying to stay patient and attack when I can. This year I am focusing more on letting the game come to me.”
Davion comes from good stock. His two older brothers are also legit. They each scored 1,700 points in their scholastic careers. Alize Johnson, who is with the San Antonio Spurs, and Missouri State guard David definitely turned some heads. Both were fantastic high school players, but I don’t believe they drew the attention from opposing teams like Davion does. Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing but love for Alize and Dave, but their younger brother is a stud.
Davion Hill recently became the ALL-TIME HIGH SCHOOL BOYS’ SCORING KING. Davion passed South Side’s Jim Nolan’s previous mark of 2,106 tallies. He is off to an incredible senior year.
I still marvel at Davion’s impressive season last year. I highly doubt it will ever be duplicated. He scored a staggering 783 points. And again. Teams were doing their very best to limit his touches. He was their main focus. Davion was named the 2022 PIAA Class A Player of the Year. He averaged a district-best 26.1 points. Hill also tallied 7.9 rebs and 3.8 assists. Davion is a three-time first-team, all-state guard. He is a lock to get one more.
Davion was even better when our backs were against the wall. He averaged 29.2 points and 10.2 rebounds during SJNRA’s impressive run. Davion was an absolute animal on both ends of the floor. It was incredible. He went for 31 and claimed 19 rebounds against Linville Hill. Linville is currently the number-one team in the state. Davion then dropped 39 and played stellar defense vs. Pottsville Nativity in the Final Four. We faced an outstanding Bishop Canevin squad in the state final. They were tremendously good and threw everything they had at Davion. He still managed to score 30 points. Insane.
I had the privilege of coaching Davion his first three years. And now that I am retired, I can truly appreciate how special he is. Sometimes us coaches are only as good as our horses. Well, Davion Hill is a stallion, and he makes life completely miserable for his opponents. He is a stud. I am excited to see what the future brings.
Davion has a will and a desire that may even match his talent. That is the scary truth. He continues to grow, and he is constantly getting better. The kid is a winner. A leader. A dog. An excellent kid to boot. The sky’s the limit for this young lad. Davion is just getting started. I am so proud of him and all that he has accomplished. I have never met anyone who has his skill set. His desire. His competitive nature. Davion works so hard, and he continues to turn heads. I am extremely thankful that he and I are now friends. Cheers.
