Potter’s House Reloads With Promising Frontline
Two years after boasting one of the country’s elite bigs in 7-foot mountain-man Udoka Azubuike (now a sophomore at Kansas), Potter’s House has revamped the frontline with a pair of top-shelf freshmen in 6-foot-9 Jonathan Izemof and 6-foot-8 Bretner Mutumbo.
Potter’s House head coach and Jacksonville, Fla. product Steve McLaughlin was quick to cite the work ethic and coach-ability of the newcomers. Both are beyond their years as far as knowledge of the game and understanding the intricacies of the system.
Both bigs possess an advanced skill-set and considerable rim protection, along with an evolving arsenal of post moves and growing scoring acumen. Expect this 1-2 punch to be flushed into significant interior roles from the start. The SIAA-FL is one of the more unforgiving conference’s in the country. This front court will surely have a fight on its hands in league play as well as its out of conference schedule where Potter’s House will compete on the Grind Session.
Cushioning the loss of Russell and McDougal, who accounted for a significant percentage of the scoring output last season will be 6-foot-5 guard Jimmy Beane. A Class of 2018 prospect, Beane has racked up offers from Indiana State, Ball State, Kent State, IPFW, IUPUI, and various others. Beane opened eyes during Potter House’s various scrimmages in Hoop Exchange’s pre-season events in Apopka, Fla, carving through defenders and displaying an innate nose for the rim. His “walking bucket” status earned plaudits from Hoop Exchange’s Scott Golden, who always has an accurate read on the Florida prep scene.
A transfer by way of Clay High School in Indiana, Beane has the size, strength, and innate ability to reel off points in a hurry. He will fill the void left by since-graduated Mike McDougal, a skilled guard who scored at all three levels and provided boundless adrenaline.
Known for an adeptness at scoring the ball in a variety of ways, expect Beane to carry a bulk of the offensive load. With a greater schedule comes greater national visibility. Expect Beane to earn more offers throughout the 2017-18 campaign.