Herd hoops gets verbal from high school sophomore

HUNTINGTON -- Chase Fischer still has three seasons of high school basketball, but knows where he wants to play in college.

Fischer received an early scholarship offer from Marshall University men's basketball head coach Donnie Jones and responded Friday with a verbal commitment to the Thundering Herd -- before his sophomore year at Ripley High School in Jackson County, W.Va.

"It's exciting," he said. "I don't think anything can change my mind."

The 6-foot-3, 160-pound guard played for the Ripley varsity as a freshman, averaging about 10 points, six assists and six rebounds a game. His brother, Noah, is a Ripley senior who was on the Class AAA all-state second team last season with a 20.2-point scoring average.

Both Fischers are playing in the summer AAU program of the Cleveland-based Ohio Basketball Club that also has South Point High School junior guard Todd Mayo and Poca High School junior guard Noah Cottrill on its teams.

Noah Fischer is also getting some college recruiting interest, his brother said. Mayo has an early Marshall offer on the table. Cottrill verbally committed to West Virginia University.

Fischer said other schools have been in contact, but his relationship with Jones sealed the deal.

"He's a great coach," he said. "I can see where he's going to take Marshall basketball."

His remaining goals before the Class of 2011 graduates include helping Ripley win a state championship and continued improvement as a player.

Fischer, 15, said his strengths are shooting and basketball IQ.

The Marshall coaching staff also impressed Fischer's parents, John and Robin.

"Coach Jones is a champion himself and he's got a champion staff with (assistants) Shawn FInney and Brett Nelson," John Fischer said. "Coach Nelson saw a couple of his games with the Ohio Basketball Club and liked what he saw. The association with the coaching staff made it a pretty easy decision for him."

A lot could happen before Fischer is able to sign with the Herd, but his commitment is solid.

His family is committed, too.

"We're loyal people," John Fischer said.