Poole, Kirksey Ink With Coastal Carolina Hoops
11/16/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 16, 2010
CONWAY, S.C. - The Coastal Carolina men's basketball team has received national letters of intent from Tyler Poole and William Kirksey head coach Cliff Ellis announced Tuesday.
Poole, a two-sport standout at Hickory High School in Hickory, N.C., will play both basketball and baseball for the Chants next season. The 6-foot-6, 205-pound forward averaged 17 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists last season to help lead Hickory High School to a 23-4 overall record and a No. 3 ranking in the state of North Carolina.
Poole was selected to the all-district first team and was named to the all-star team in his conference.
"Tyler Poole is a wing forward who can really shoot the ball," Ellis said. "He knows the game on both ends of the floor and is a fundamentally sound player. We're really excited about him."
On the diamond, Poole is a right-handed pitcher who works consistently in the 88-92 mph range. He also features a curveball and a changeup to go along with his fastball.
Kirksey is currently entering his sophomore season at Southwestern Illinois College under head coach Jay Harrington. The 6-foot-8, 260-pound post averaged 13 points and six rebounds for the Blue Storm last season.
He was also a member of the NJCAA National Tournament All-Tournament team and was named Region XXIV All-Region. In addition, Kirksey was also tabbed to the Great Rivers All-Conference team.
A native of St. Louis, Mo., Kirksey averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds per game as a senior at Lafayette High School.
"William Kirksey is a power player on the inside and I believe he will be an asset to us," Ellis said. "We lose some size off of this team, and we are looking for him to sure up the losses that occur from the senior class."
