College notes: Lorain grad Taevon Pierre-Louis finds success on return to court

Sometimes the path forward isn't always straight forward. Taevon Pierre-Louis, who prior to this season last played basketball competitively for Lorain in 2019, didn't wind up playing college ball the following year, or the year after that, or the year after that. But now, three years later, he's a freshman making an immediate impact with Allan Hancock College, a community college in Santa Maria, California. "It was a struggle really because I had to find myself outside of basketball throughout the process," Pierre-Louis said of his three years between high school and college. "Now that I'm back, more mature, I don't take this for granted. I cherish every moment that I'm out there. I wasn't satisfied before, it just clicked that I didn't want to work those regular jobs the rest of my life. God was giving me another opportunity to play basketball again, so I took it and it's all working out." While other members from Lorain's 2018 state semifinalist team went off to play college ball, Pierre-Louis stayed in Lorain. He worked for the Boys & Girls Club of America at two schools and held a factory job during that span. Fate steered him back to basketball last summer when a relative needed an extra player for a Pro-Am event. While Pierre-Louis hadn't faced that level of competition since high school, he signed on for the one game. He didn't miss his shot, putting together strong enough tape to catch Allan Hancock College's attention. The program made him an offer, and Pierre-Louis had his shot to play college ball. He scored 14 points and added eight rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks in his collegiate debut, a 73-68 loss to Porterville on Nov. 2. "I'm still getting used to it," Pierre-Louis said. "I've never played college basketball. The game speed is different, the defense is different, everything is faster than it was in high school. It just feels good to be back on the floor. The hardest thing was training because I was out of shape. I still am, I'm not where I need to be, but I've gotten better. Another thing was just getting comfortable on the floor again." The Bulldogs are 14-6 overall and 6-0 in the Western State Conference in large part because of Pierre-Louis, who is averaging a double-double with 15.3 points and 11.4 rebounds (ranks eighth in the California Community College Athletic Association through 20 games). He's produced 11 blocks, 32 steals and averages 4.8 assists. On Dec. 10, Pierre-Louis posted a triple-double with 13 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds in a 76-66 win against Santa Monica. Things are going just as well for Pierre-Louis off the court. He said he's pursuing his associate's degree in business management and has a 3.8 grade point average. "I knew this was going to be all for the better," Pierre-Louis said. "I stood positive throughout it all and now everything is starting to come along." Buzzer-beaters Dae Dae Grant (Lorain) has made an instant impact on his new team. The junior, in his first year with Duquesne after transferring from Miami (Ohio), is averaging 15.1 points, shooting 41.7 percent from 3-point range while starting all 20 games for the 13-7 Dukes. He has six games of at least 20 points, including 25 in his Duquesne debut against Montana on Nov. 8. Seth Wilson (Lorain) has appeared in all 17 games for West Virginia, averaging about 15 minutes. The sophomore has three double-digit scoring efforts, averaging 4.7 points and 1.1 rebounds. Redshirt sophomore Jeremy Sanchez (North Ridgeville) is averaging 14 minutes in the 16 games in which he's appeared for his new school, Saint Leo (Florida). He spent the last three seasons with Cleveland State. Jonny Manning (Midview) is averaging 13.8 points and 7.2 rebounds for Lake Erie College. The sophomore has started every game, shooting 54 percent from the field with five games of 20 or more points, including 21 against Malone on Jan. 14. He also has five games of at least 10 rebounds, highlighted by 18 against Tiffin in a double-double effort Dec. 1. After being named the Division III, Region 7 rookie of the year by D3hoops.com in 2022, Jamir Billings (Lorain) hasn't slowed down for Wooster in his sophomore year. The guard is averaging 10.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 2.7 steals. He's recorded at least four steals in six of the last eight games with a high of six against Oberlin on Jan. 4. Connor O'Toole (Gilmour/Avon), a junior, has started every game for John Carroll, ranked No. 9 in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25 poll (through Jan. 15 games). Final possession Isabella Geraci (North Ridgeville) has made an immediate impact for USC Upstate (South Carolina). The graduate transfer, who played 108 games for Cleveland State, is averaging 10.1 points, recently coming off a stretch of four straight double-digit games for eight total. She recorded a season-high 12 rebounds against Longwood on Jan. 14, her fifth double-digit rebounding game. She has two double-doubles on the season. Michaela Harrison (Lake Ridge) has started all but one game for Mount St. Mary's in her fifth season with the program. The graduate student is averaging 13.8 points per game with 13 double-digit efforts, including 30 points against UMBC on Dec. 10. Jalen Gibbs (Wellington) has started every game for Fairmont State, averaging 11.2 points. The junior also is averaging 8.3 rebounds with 21 blocks and 25 steals. Faith Williams (Elyria Catholic) is averaging 11.3 minutes in 19 games for Gannon. The senior is averaging 1.9 points and 1.3 assists. Regan Schill (Elyria Catholic) has started every game for Baldwin Wallace, ranked No. 7 in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25. The senior, known for her defense, is averaging 3.5 points with seven total steals. Leia Smith (North Ridgeville), a sophomore, is averaging seven points and 4.1 rebounds in 18 games for Muskingum. Pinned down Baldwin Wallace wrestling is getting contributions from a number of area athletes. Zak Anderson, a senior from Midview, owns a 15-4 record at 141 pounds and sophomore Donovan Palmer (Lutheran West/North Ridgeville) is 9-6 at 165. Both won individual championships at the school's home tournament Nov. 19. Drew Levis (Elyria), a senior, and sophomore Tommy West (St. Edward/Avon Lake) are 6-4 and 13-3 at 285 and 157, respectively. Dylan Shawver (Elyria), a sophomore, holds a 12-5 overall and 2-1 dual record at 125 for Rutgers. Cleveland State redshirt sophomore Daniel Bucknavich (Midview) is 13-6 overall and 5-2 in dual meets at 285. Redshirt senior Brendon Fenton (Elyria) has a 4-6 record at 133 for Kent State. For additions to the college notebook, contact Chris Sweeney at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com and follow him @CSweeney1686 on Twitter.