Midland's Jeffrey signs to play hoops at Alderson-Broaddus

ONA -- Cabell Midland basketball player Zach Jeffrey was known for his hard work and hustle on the court.

Now, he will even wear the nickname "Battler" on his jersey. Jeffrey has agreed to take his basketball skills to Alderson-Broaddus College, the 2008 West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion.

"The name just really sums it up for me," Jeffrey said. "I've never been guaranteed anything. There were times I played center and there were times I played the two-guard."

Versatility is one trait Jeffrey will take to Alderson-Broaddus after finishing his career as the senior captain for Cabell Midland. He played several positions on the court depending on the situation and the statistics suggests the Knights' success hinged on his ability to put points on the board.

In eight of Cabell Midland's 10 wins in the 2007-08 campaign, Jeffrey scored 15 or more. Of the other two wins, one was by forfeit and the other was a blowout win over Hampshire when the starters played two quarters.

Jeffrey finished his senior season averaging 11 points and eight rebounds, but he knows that he will have to continue working hard to excel at the next level where he will likely fill a shooting guard or small forward position.

The Battlers will have five seniors on the 2008-09 roster, meaning Jeffrey will use the next year to learn the new system and improve his physique.

"Having five seniors coming back, it is going to make me work that much harder to fight for playing time," Jeffrey said. "The big thing I have to work on is getting physically stronger."

Jeffrey said he received a full scholarship offer to play at Bluefield State, a program that is undergoing a rebuilding process, but once he saw film of Alderson-Broaddus and the style of play, he was convinced the Battlers were the perfect fit.

And while he likes the uptempo style of play, he will have to build chemistry with a group of players he is admittedly not familiar with yet, although he feels that philosophically, everyone will be on the same page.

"The way I look at, when you get the rebound, the ball should be down the court and that's the way they like to play," Jeffrey said. "It is a fresh start and it is going to be a bunch of hard work. I have to build my reputation and the players' trust in me."

Jeffrey knows there are several obstacles to overcome at the collegiate level, but he's happy to know he will have the opportunity to be everything he's ever wanted to be since he started playing basketball.

And all he wants to be now is a Battler on the court.