(Citynet Statewide Sportsline interview)
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — While the West Virginia high school basketball postseason remains suspended, Poca sophomore guard Isaac McKneely received his first ‘Power 5’ scholarship offer Wednesday afternoon. Already holding offers from Davidson, Liberty, Marshall, Robert Morris, Stetson and Xavier, McKneely added West Virginia to that list.
“It was definitely a nice, pleasant surprise,” McKneely said. “Coach (Ron) Everhart texted my coach (Allen Osborne) and told him to call. He called me and told me to call Coach Huggins. So I called Coach Huggins and he pretty much just told me the news. I was really ecstatic about it.”
McKneely burst on to the scene as a freshman, leading a young group of Dots to the state tournament in 2019. His profile was raised after a strong summer season on the AAU circuit and Division I offers soon followed.
“I got some attention my freshman high school season. But last year in AAU is when I really caught the eye of a lot of coaches.”
When the postseason was suspended, Poca had claimed a sectional championship and they were scheduled to host Logan in the Class AA regionals. McKneely led the Dots to a 21-3 record, scoring 22 points per game. He has the versatility to play both guard positions.
“I am a point guard/shooting guard, either one. I can dribble up the floor. I can facilitate a lot. I can shoot the three pretty well. I can dribble it. I can shoot off the bounce. I play pretty good defense. My cons right now is I am working on my defense a lot. Coach Osborne is trying to work with me to get better on the defensive end because I am going to have to guard really good guards in college. So I am going to get better on defense and get stronger.”
Like every other basketball player in the state right now, McKneely is left to work out on his own as practices and games are suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Obviously we were a little upset when the season ended early. We wanted to win a state championship but it got cut a little short. We are just trying to pass the time at home. I have been playing a lot of video games, working out on my own in my backyard on my hoop. I have been working out on the Bowflex, just trying to stay in shape in case something happens.”