Recruiting Report: Justin Koepp (2018)
Justin Koepp (2018) will be counted on to do a lot for the Elyria Pioneers this year. He’s the only player returning with any experience from a team which went 21-5 a year ago and lost in the regional semifinals.
A 6’7” forward, Koepp’s entering his third year as a starter and his first as a go-to scorer after being content the past two years with setting picks, rebounding and creating second shot opportunities on tap outs to teammates after missed field goals.
It’s those selfless team-oriented traits that make him a perfect fit for nearly any college program, according to his high school coach Brett Larrick.
“He’s a great role player. He doesn’t get upset if he doesn’t get the ball. He can go get the ball off the rim. If the gets a rebound against a bigger guy he’s going to go kick it out to the wide-open shooter,” Larrick said.
Koepp is on the radar of a slew of Division III schools and a couple Division II programs, too, according to his high school coach.
Koepp a year ago shot the ball at a field goal percentage of 60 percent. That number could drop this year, as Larrick looks for his senior big man to be more aggressive on the offensive end.
An infusion of the youth for the Pioneers will come in the form of freshman guard MarSaun Robinson (2021). Larrick said Robinson will have to learn on the job.
“He’s going to get thrown to the wolves,” Larrick said. Robinson has played in high-pressure AAU tournaments and should stand up to the pressure of playing high school basketball at the varsity level. Robinson will get tested by some of the better guards in the state on a nightly basis in conference games.
Deviian Williams (2018), a 6’1” senior will likely be a third scoring option for the Pioneers.
A repeat of the GCC title is highly unlikely. Larrick is just hoping to see steady improvement as he mixes in a group of seniors to play with Koepp, Robinson and Williams.
The goal will be to improve as the season goes along and spring a few upsets in conference play or the sectional/district tournament.