Recruiting Report: Justin Balcome (2018)
Justin Balcome of Alexandria is one the state’s higher potential junior bigs at 6-foot-9, long, and agile. NHR talked with him today. What has Justin done to get ready for a big junior year where he is expected to help…
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Continue ReadingJustin Balcome of Alexandria is one the state’s higher potential junior bigs at 6-foot-9, long, and agile. NHR talked with him today.
What has Justin done to get ready for a big junior year where he is expected to help Spencer Hockert, Jaran Roste, and the rest of the returning Cards?
“I’ve been doing lots of lifting and finding open gyms to get some shots up,” Justin said. “I’ve also been getting some of the guys on our team together to work out in the mornings, we go through some position drills usually, and then every once and awhile we have live games.”
Justin has specific goals he wants to accomplish this fall before the winter starts.
“My goals are to push every player on our team to be the best players they can be, to improve my post game, my ability to finish through contact, and my pull-up jumper,” Balcome said.
Then of course is the team goal of state and for Alexandria it’s something they have the talent to accomplish.
“Of course every team and every player has the goal to make the state tournament this year,” Justin explained. “Which I think is a very realistic possibility for us based off of the talent that we have coming back as seniors, and our new talent that will be getting some opportunities this year.”
Alexandria won 19 games a year ago and should win even more this winter. Hockert and Roste are big number guys and Balcome’s size will be key inside.
“I think that we have a better grasp this year on what it takes to be a successful team,’ Balcome explained. “Last year we had a phenomenal group of players who all bought in to what our coach was pushing us to do.
“I think that this year we have already begun to build off of our success, as many of us have worked hard during the offseason. Hopefully we can be near the top of our conference again and make a deep push into the playoffs.”
Justin has already heard from four NSIC programs and a top MIAC team.
“I attended an SMSU camp and was invited to some of their home games,” Justin said. “USF invited me to some home games and a camp. I was invited to take and unofficial visit to the University of Mary for junior day but was unable to attend.
“I attended the St. Cloud State fan fest as a recruit and am invited to home games, and St. John’s has been in contact also inviting me to home games.”