Local talent will be on full display this men’s basketball season at Holland College in Charlottetown.
With only two returning players expected back from last year’s third-place team, coach George Morrison has been busy recruiting.
He has already received commitments from brothers Steve and Mike Hardy, Kyle Gillis, Kyle Welton and Jonathan Hovingh.
Steve played two seasons for Holland College and was a second-team conference all-star in 2009-10.
“I am excited to return to the Hurricanes and to play for coach Morrison again,” the six-foot-two guard said. “(I am) really looking forward to competing as a team and going through the highs and lows a season can bring. We have a lot of experience and will be a solid team from top to bottom.”
Steve Hardy is enrolling in the international hospitality management program.
The Hardy boys give the Hurricanes a veteran duo committed to challenging for a conference title.
Gillis and Welton come to the Hurricanes after successful careers with the Charlottetown Rural Raiders.
Gillis will take sport and leisure management while
Welton is enrolling in business administration.
Both share similar views on making the jump to the college ball.
“My biggest goal was always to be able to play basketball at the post-secondary level, and I am definitely ready and excited to be a Hurricane,” Gillis said.
Welton is looking forward to the new season.
“It seems we will have a very strong team and it will be great to be a part of it. I am very happy to call myself a Hurricane,” he said.
Morrison is excited by the incoming local talent.
“I am very pleased to welcome those five players to the Hurricane program,” he said.
“We will have almost an entirely new team this fall, and I am looking forward to these young men playing a substantial role in maintaining and improving upon the success that Holland College basketball has achieved during the past three years.”
The college said more recruitment announcements are expected in the coming weeks.
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The following Prince Edward Island basketball players have committed to playing for the Holland College Hurricanes in 2012-13:
Steve Hardy: A six-foot-two guard who previously played for Holland College and Three Oaks Senior High.
Mike Hardy: A six-foot-five forward who previously played at UPEI and Three Oaks Senior High.;
Kyle Gillis: A six-foot-one guard who previously played at Charlottetown Rural High School.
Kyle Welton: A six-foot-four forward who previously played at Charlottetown Rural High School.
Jonathan Hovingh: A six-foot-four guard who previously played at Bluefield High School.
Quote: “In addition to their expected on-court contribution, we have recruited in these five players individuals with sound academic backgrounds. Their decision to attend Holland College speaks volumes about the excellent academic reputation of Holland College and its programs.”
- George Morrison, head coach of the Holland College men’s basketball team.
