Ex-Trojan star Hill sinks three 3s before home folks
<p>JEROME A. POLLOS/Press Connor Hill, a former Post Falls High basketball standout, guards Deremy Geiger during the second half of the University of Idaho scrimmage held Tuesday at North Idaho College.</p>
<p>JEROME A. POLLOS/Press Kyle Barone passes to a teammate over Xavier Bazile, left, and Dazmond Starke during the first half.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - Seven minutes into the University of Idaho's men's basketball scrimmage at North Idaho College, Connor Hill curled off a screen, caught a pass and buried a 3-pointer from the left wing.
Just like old times for the former Post Falls High star, now a freshman trying to make an impact on the Vandals.
"Oh, man, lights-out shooter," Idaho senior point guard Deremy Geiger said of Hill. "That's what he does. He catches and shoots, and he works hard. He's a great freshman; there's a bright future for him in the program."
In the 20-minute scrimmage Hill, as did some of the other Vandals, played some for the Black team and some for the Gold team. He finished 3 of 6 from 3-point range for nine points, and also had two turnovers and an assist before an estimated 200 fans.
"The speed is obviously way quicker, the physicality is obviously up a couple notches from high school," Hill said of the transition to the next level. "But I'm just trying to work and do whatever I can to help this team."
Geiger finished with seven points, four assists and a turnover. Mansa Habeeb, a transfer from Southeastern Iowa Community College, had seven points and four rebounds. Djim Bandoumel, a 6-7 senior from Quebec, stood out with four blocked shots.
“We’re definitely a work in progress,” fourth-year Idaho coach Don Verlin said. “It’s a team that’s got a lot of new faces, but I think the one thing I’d tell you about this team is, they’re not afraid to work. They come to work every day. They play hard. They work hard, and that’s what’s going to allow them to be successful at some point in the season.”
Verlin said a decision on whether to play Hill this season, or redshirt him, will be made after the Vandals’ two exhibition games — Friday vs. Evergreen State and Nov. 5 vs. Willamette, both at home.
“Connor can really shoot the basketball,” Verlin said. “He’s come in and played very well. Like all freshmen, he’s got a lot to learn, but he’s done a really good job of trying to pick it up. Connor Hill wants to be a basketball player, and I’ve been really pleased with how hard he’s worked, and how quickly he’s picked things up, and how well he’s going to fit into the system so far. And obviously he’s a great shooter.”
Hill, who said he needs to get stronger and work on his defense, said his preference would be to play, but he’ll do whatever is best for the team. Which would be OK with Geiger, who smiles widely when Hill’s name comes up.
“He’s a dead-eye shooter,” Geiger said. “He gets an inch of space and it’s good. I try to find him, and it helps me get some assists.”