Midlands Cherrington Headed to Houston
Englebert Cherrington's long rumored commitment to the University of Houston has finally happened.
New Midland Head Coach Grant McCasland told JUCO Junction on Sunday night that Cherrington will indeed be a Cougar next year.
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McCasland was named Midland head coach on Thursday after Shannon Hays resigned. Hays is believed to be in line for a position on Tom Penders' staff at Houston.
McCasland was an assistant this year for a Chapparal squad that won the Region V crown and finished third at last month's NJCAA Tournament.
"I think Houston is a good fit and Conference USA is a good league for Englebert," McCasland said. "He has a strong upside due to his skill level."
A native of Belize, Cherrington put up solid numbers in his two years at Midland. The addition of 6-6 workhorse Hakim Rasul to the Chap stable this season might have limited Cherrington's offensive touches this season.
"Englebert can shoot it out to about 15 feet, but he didn't get those kinds of shots in our offense this past season," McCasland said. "He uses his body well and is a better rebounder and defender than offensive player. I think he will give Houston solid minutes next year."
Cherrington will have two years of eligibility at Houston.
Before his visit to Houston, Cherrington had pledged trips to Cincinnati and Georgia. A number of other high major programs like Arizona State, Arizona, Oregon and Penn State were also involved with him.
Just before the Final Four, Hays' named became strongly linked with the University of Houston. When Tom Penders got the job, Hays (who previously had worked at Texas Tech under James Dickey) became a serious candidate for the opening.
At that time, rumors began to swirl that Cherrington would follow Hays to Houston. It now appears that tecnhnically, the reverse will probably happen.