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LCSC men’s basketball team signs Packwood
Lewis-Clark State College men’s basketball coach Tim Walker and Lewiston High graduate Andrew Packwood are both fulfilling goals.
Walker introduced his latest recruit, Packwood, at a media conference Tuesday afternoon at LCSC, announcing that the 6-foot-8, 250-pound Packwood has signed a letter-of-intent to join the Warrior basketball team and enroll in the college starting this fall.
When he became coach two years ago, Walker said one of his goals was to find players in both Idaho and the region to play for the program. Packwood becomes the first LHS recruit to sign with the Warrior since Charlie Walker played at LCSC during 1993-97.
Charlie Walker happens to be Packwood’s brother, and Packwood said he’s followed the LCSC program through the years.
“For me, it’s been a dream to play at LCSC, or North Carolina,” Packwood said, laughing. “I had a couple of discussions (with Charlie) but he just told me not to listen to people and make the right decision for me.”
Packwood started his junior and senior seasons and part of his sophomore year at LHS. He earned second-team All-State and All-Inland Empire League as a junior when he averaged 6.7 points and 5.9 rebounds a game. As a senior, he earned first-team all-league and was an honorable mention All-State selection after averaging nearly 12 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocked shots a game. He helped LHS to three consecutive trips to the Idaho State Class 5A tournament.
“Not often do you find someone 6-8 and 250 pounds who can run well, shoot it from the outside, and has good post moves inside,” Walker says. “When recruiting, you always want to look in your backyard first. We are fortunate Andrew wanted to stay home.”
Walker says, as with every recruit, Packwood will have a chance to play right away, but must prove himself. If a freshman doesn’t look like he will challenge for much playing time, then a decision about redshirting will be made, which will allow him to have another year of eligibility if he doesn’t play next year.
“My goal is to start next year,” Packwood said. “That doesn’t mean I will be a starter, but you have to have that kind of mind set. I plan to work hard and be ready.”
Packwood says he was recruited heavily by Montana Tech and Northwest Nazarene as well, but said LCSC has a stronger Communications program. He says he would like to get into sports broadcasting or coaching, and will major in Communications at LCSC.
“I just felt the education at L-C was the best fit for me,” Packwood said.
Packwood is the fourth recruit signed by Walker for next season. LCSC lost five seniors off last year’s squad, which won both the Frontier Conference’s regular season and tournament titles.
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