Published: May 11, 2008 01:47 pm            

Tyler Bourne signs with Berea College

Somerset — Somerset big man Tyler Bourne was a huge presence in the paint for the Briar Jumpers in their 12th Region Tournament semifinal appearance. Bourne was selected as the Commonwealth Journal High School Basketball Player of the Year for his dominate performance down low.

It was only natural that Bourne would draw attention from college scouts for his mobility and ability to create shots down low. Bourne signed on to play his collegiate basketball at Berea College.

As excited as Bourne was about playing basketball at the next level, he was even more excited about playing at the forward position in the collegiate ranks.

“I have always liked to shoot the ball and I have always done that when I played in leagues at the YMCA and Oak Hill,” Bourne said. “In pickup games, I usually play at the 3 or 4 position, but they needed me to play the post position at Somerset. Now I will get a chance to play at the 3 and 4 positions in college.”

Shawn Thacker, Somerset High School’s basketball coach, concurred about his Bourne’s transition to the 4 position at the college level might be a welcomed change for the fleet-footed big man.

“Tyler shoots the ball from the perimeter, but we didn’t have him out there very much,” Thacker said. “We needed Tyler to play a little closer to the basket with his low post game. If his ability to put the ball on the floor and create his own shot continues to improve, that is going to open up offensive opportunities for him at the college level.”

Thacker had obvious mixed emotions about seeing his star bigman leaving the Briar Jumper program, but was already looking forward to seeing his former player on the collegiate hardwood next winter.

“We are going to miss Tyler’s work ethic, but we are excited about him getting the opportunity to go on to the next level and play college basketball at Berea,” Thacker said. “Tyler has some work to do on his game for the college level — he has got to work on facing the basket and learning how to play the 4 (position) a little bit more at the college level. I don’t think you are going to find any kid that is going to be more dedicated or work any harder at what you ask him to do than Tyler Bourne.”

“Berea is excited in having Tyler and Berea has a good brand of basketball,” Thacker commented. “I would encourage anyone that has never seen a Berea basketball game at Seabury Center to come out and watch them next winter. I am looking forward in getting those opportunities to watch Tyler play there next season.”

Bourne explained that he chose Berea for their educational standards and their strong athletic program.

“I liked Berea because it was local and I thought it was one of the best colleges in the state as far as employment at the next level,” Bourne said. “They have a good athletic program and they finished second in the conference.”

Berea head basketball coach John Mills sees a lot of potential in his new recruit.

“Tyler Bourne is a good basketball player and that was our obvious interest in him,” Mills said. “He does well inside and has great instincts in the interior. For a power forward, he has good quickness and he reads offenses well. Overall, he has a good basketball I.Q.”

“At 6'5”, he jumps well and he runs the court well,” Mills continued. “But most importantly, he is a solid individual — on and off the basketball court. Coming into the college ranks, he has a few things to work on and he will be spending some time in the weight room. He understands that he will be playing against players that have a little more weight on them, but his foot speed and quickness will help him compete inside. We also want to beef up his mid-range game, which will open things up for him offensively.”

        

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