Thursday, May 15, 2008
Boggs opts to remain at Hidden Valley
The Timesland boys' basketball player of the year considered transferring to one of several private schools but instead will play for new Titans coach Troy Wells.
Troy Wells' prospects for success in his first season as Hidden Valley's boys' basketball coach have brightened.
Timesland player of the year and first-team All-Group AA guard Ben Boggs said Wednesday he will return to Hidden Valley this fall for his senior year, ending questions surrounding his possible transfer out of the program to a private school.
The 6-foot-4 Boggs, who has committed to Virginia Tech, said he decided to remain at Hidden Valley after meeting with Wells last week.
"I looked at some other schools and talked to some coaches," Boggs said. "But my parents didn't want me to make an official decision until I met with the new coach at Hidden Valley."
Boggs said he initially had hoped to transfer into a program that could help better prepare him for the rigors of college basketball.
"I just want to be the best player I can be," he said.
Wells, who led Martinsville to three VHSL Group AA championships in 13 years, was hired April 25 to replace Chris Morris as Hidden Valley's coach. Morris, who will become the school's athletic director, led the Titans to back-to-back Group AA semifinal appearances in the last two seasons.
En route to the final four, Hidden Valley defeated Wells' Martinsville teams twice.
Wells will serve as Hidden Valley's coach after having retired as a classroom teacher.
"I'm very excited to have Coach Wells here," Boggs said. "He's a very upbeat coach. He's positive, but he's hard on you at the same time. Just from the open gyms we've had, he works you hard.
"He's not teaching, so any time I want to come in the gym, he said he'd work me out like he would for any player on the team. He can help me a lot on my shot and other things."
Boggs' return means Hidden Valley will have three starters and two key reserves back from last year's 28-2 team. Boggs, who averaged 17.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game last year, is the Titans' career scoring and rebounding leader.
Graduating with his classmates was another factor in the decision, Boggs said.
"I wanted to stay here with my friends, too," he said. "They wanted me to come back, but they're all good friends and they would have supported me in what I did."
Boggs said Tech coach Seth Greenberg's input was minimal.
"Coach Greenberg just wanted me to be happy wherever I picked," Boggs said.
