Tillotson gets first offer; PSU in lead for Nicholas?
Eastern York point guard Austin Tillotson finally has his first Division I scholarship offer.
The University of Delaware extended Tillotson the offer last month during the rising senior's visit to the school's Newark, Del., campus, Golden Knights head coach Larry Fisher said Thursday.
Fisher said Tillotson plans to visit a few other schools, with possible stops including Monmouth, Vermont and Colgate.
"It was neat to get the first offer," Fisher said. "The first of several, I'm sure. But until you get the first one, you always have that in the back of your mind."
Meanwhile, Fisher said the other half of Eastern's all-everything duo, 6-foot-6 wing Andrew Nicholas, was extremely impressed during a recent visit to Penn State. Enough, perhaps, to put the Nittany Lions in the lead for Nicholas' services.
"That's his top choice right now," Fisher said of Penn State. "He feels like that might be the top place."
Nicholas, who originally committed to Rutgers last summer but de-committed this spring, has currently zeroed in on two potential destinations: Penn State and St. Joseph's. Fisher has an close relationship with the St. Joe's coaching staff -- one of his first call after Nicholas de-committed from Rutgers was to a Hawks assistant.
The market for both players could grow during the next month, which includes an open recruiting period. Both players will take part in an upcoming Hoop Group Elite camp at Albright College, an event which attracts plenty of scouts.
"That's exactly why we talked and didn't want to commit the guys to anything before this period," Fisher said.
Another transfer on the way
For the second straight year, Eastern stands to benefit greatly from an incoming transfer student. Fisher confirmed that Bryton Abel, a key player last year for West York, will be joining the program.
Fisher said Abel, a 6-foot-3 forward, is cousins with Nicholas, and moved back to the Eastern district with his father, who is originally from the area. Abel averaged 10.9 points and 8.4 rebounds for the Bulldogs last season, and was named a YAIAA Division I/II second-team all-star.
The rising senior should fill a huge void inside for Eastern, which looked like it would be lacking in size following the graduation of senior Luke Barto.
"I thought that the offense was going to have to change and some of the defense was going to change with Andrew going inside," Fisher said. "With Bryt ... it's like the perfect fit for what we needed."
Last year, Eastern got a major boost from versatile guard Nate Bollinger, who transferred in from Spring Grove. Bollinger hit the game-winning shot during Eastern's District 3, Class AAA championship game victory against Lancaster Catholic.
Abel's presence could come in handy for Eastern, which faces a beefed up schedule this year. The Golden Knights will take part in elite tournaments at Harrisburg and Villanova University, as well as the Kobe Bryant Classic. Eastern is scheduled to play Scranton, Chester and Imhotep Charter in those tournaments, Fisher said.