Topic: Markel Humphrey:Clayton/Henry County boys player of the year

[AtlTom]

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/highschool/0305/24clayboys.html

BOYS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Stockbridge star heads off brother's heartbreak

By SETH COLEMAN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 03/24/05

Stockbridge's Markel Humphrey learned about the joy of playing basketball from his older brother, Quin. Two years ago, he learned about a part of the game that can be painful: college recruiting.

After averaging 26 points per game his senior year in 2003, Markel's sophomore season, Quin was one of the area's most hotly recruited guards. He thought he was headed to Auburn on a full ride.
 
"But then they called and said they were going in another direction," said Stockbridge head coach and athletic coordinator Mark Andrews. Translation: They were more interested in another player. Quin eventually landed at Youngstown State, where he led the Penguins in scoring this season, his second as a starter.

"He's happy where he is, but . . ." Markel said of Quin, pausing to choose the right words. "I just didn't want to go through what he went through. I wanted to make my decision early. I didn't want to wait too long."

So after his junior year — when he averaged more than 20 points per game and proved that he could lead the Tigers without his big brother — Markel announced that he was going to be an early signee. Just before the start of this season, he signed with Marshall.

"When I visited there, I felt at home," said Humphrey, who averaged 20 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals per game this season for Stockbridge. He was also selected to the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association All-Star team.

"Some coaches are just all talk," he said. "At Marshall, I felt like I could believe and trust what they were telling me."

"From Day One, they let it be known that Markel was their man," Andrews said. "They really showed him that he was the player they wanted."

Mark Humphrey, Markel and Quin's father, said even though Quin was burned somewhat during the recruiting process because he waited to make a decision, he wasn't going to take control of the situation with Markel.

"I told him that it was his decision. I wanted him to go where he felt comfortable," said Mark Humphrey, who started Quin and Markel in organized basketball when they were 8 and 6 years old, respectively. "Watching his brother go through what he did helped him learn a lot. He made a quick decision, but I think it was the right one."

MARKEL HUMPHREY

• School, grade: Stockbridge, senior

• Position: Shooting guard

• Statistics: Averaged 20 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals

• Also of note: Selected to the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association All-Star team; signed to play at Marshall, after being recruited by Tulsa, Arkansas State, Georgia State and Ole Miss

ALL-AREA BASKETBALL

ALL-CLAYTON/HENRY TEAMS

Boys

FIRST TEAM

Player Pos. Year School

Markel Humphrey G Sr. Stockbridge

Three-year starter headed to Marshall

Jamal Bowers F Sr. North Clayton

Averaged 16 points and six rebounds

Herman Mains F Sr. Henry County

Averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds

Greg Lindsey G Sr. Henry County

Scored over 1,400 career points

Eric Wilson G Sr. Morrow

Signed to play at Tuskegee next season

SECOND TEAM

Ronald Aguilar, G, Sr., Morrow; Richard Jennings, G/F, Sr., Morrow; Adrian Grishby, G/F, Sr., Morrow; Bradley Carden, F, Sr., Eagle's Landing; Mikal Bennett, F, Sr., Mount Zion; Brandon Ruth, G, Soph., Dutchtown; Alex Perry, F, Soph., Dutchtown; Gani Lawal, F, Soph., Riverdale

• Boys Coach of the Year: Steve Cole, North Clayton

[carolinaherdfan]

Thanks for the post. You could post it across the head of some people in position that I am thinking of, and I am not certain that it would do any good . Lord help me, I'am falling!, and with the great athletic leadership we have here at MU under the leadership of Marscum we could not ask for anything more!?>

GO THUNDERINGHERD!

 :-?

[W0lfman]

Good read.  It'd been nice to have him and Merthie coming in as frosh together.  Those two could've have been a nice nucleus to have in the program for four years,

[HerdZone]

Good read.  It'd been nice to have him and Merthie coming in as frosh together.  Those two could've have been a nice nucleus to have in the program for four years,

Looks like we are losing Merthie. If its just for a yr I don't know, but it looks like he's headed to prep school. Ck the recruiting board out to find the link.