2008 Woodie Awards
Colllege ball raises the bar for high school standout
Clif Duquette '08
Issue date: 11/10/06 Section: Sports
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Normally when you wear the number 33 while playing high-school basketball, there is not much of a problem.
Unless you play for Lower Merion High School, the same school that Kobe Bryant starred for just 11 short years ago.
But when you end your high-school career second only to Bryant in your school's all-time list of scorers, you know you have at least some talent.
For incoming freshman Garrett Williamson, though, instead of leaping straight to the NBA, he chose to provide his talented services at college, specifically for Phil Martelli and the Saint Joseph's Hawks.
And now, he has the opportunity to do something Bryant never did.
"It's always great to be compared to somebody of that caliber," said Williamson. "It's hard because he's on another level than I am right now. I'm always going to try to push myself to get better and keep working. So you could say I'm motivated in that respect to do well here."
As long as he is motivated, it should nonetheless benefit the Hawks.
Martelli has openly stated that Williamson will have an instant impact, and there are reasons why besides his magnificent point total in high school.
Not only did Williamson lead Lower Merion to its second state title, but he was also the first player in school history to be twice named to the All-State First Team.
But now he will focus on starting a journey that will hopefully lead him to another championship.
"I just want to try to go out and play hard and hopefully just have an effect and just try to find my spot on the team. Hopefully I can find a way to get minutes and do the little things you need to win games. I just want to focus on contributing in any way possible to keep winning by playing as hard as I can."
The 6'5" guard has been playing hard for as long as he can remember.
Since the age of six, when he saw his friends play and learned about the game from his dad, basketball became his favorite sport and every day he has wanted to improve.
Unless you play for Lower Merion High School, the same school that Kobe Bryant starred for just 11 short years ago.
But when you end your high-school career second only to Bryant in your school's all-time list of scorers, you know you have at least some talent.
For incoming freshman Garrett Williamson, though, instead of leaping straight to the NBA, he chose to provide his talented services at college, specifically for Phil Martelli and the Saint Joseph's Hawks.
And now, he has the opportunity to do something Bryant never did.
"It's always great to be compared to somebody of that caliber," said Williamson. "It's hard because he's on another level than I am right now. I'm always going to try to push myself to get better and keep working. So you could say I'm motivated in that respect to do well here."
As long as he is motivated, it should nonetheless benefit the Hawks.
Martelli has openly stated that Williamson will have an instant impact, and there are reasons why besides his magnificent point total in high school.
Not only did Williamson lead Lower Merion to its second state title, but he was also the first player in school history to be twice named to the All-State First Team.
But now he will focus on starting a journey that will hopefully lead him to another championship.
"I just want to try to go out and play hard and hopefully just have an effect and just try to find my spot on the team. Hopefully I can find a way to get minutes and do the little things you need to win games. I just want to focus on contributing in any way possible to keep winning by playing as hard as I can."
The 6'5" guard has been playing hard for as long as he can remember.
Since the age of six, when he saw his friends play and learned about the game from his dad, basketball became his favorite sport and every day he has wanted to improve.
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