For Appalachian State men’s basketball, the prevalent pre-season storyline was the team’s new acquisitions. But few could have expected freshman guards Tab Hamilton and Mike Neal to make an impact as big as they have.
Neal, from Greensboro, N.C. and Hamilton, from Winston Salem, N.C. are roommates, and have become essential parts of the Mountaineer rotation.
Due to their inherent chemistry on the court, the two guards have become regulars in the starting lineup. They’ve started the last seven games for the Mountaineers after guard Rodney Milum left the team in late December.
Hamilton and Neal have combined for 14 points, but have each added a new dimension to the Mountaineer offense.
Hamilton, who prefers to play shooting guard, has hit 23 3-pointers this season.
And as is typical for shooters, the freshman attempts to stay in a rhythm between games.
“Getting into the gym early and being the last one to leave the gym,” Hamilton said. “I always try to do the same thing before the game and the same thing I do after the game.”
Neal, on the other hand, is more content playing the point guard, and has settled into the role as the starter. One of Neal’s most eye-popping attributes is his explosiveness and ball-handling ability. Against Western Carolina, Neal got a rise out of the crowd, crossing over opponents in order to get to the rim, a dimension desperately needed in Appalachian’s offense.
“It’s something I’ve had to work on,” Neal said. “In high school, I didn’t play [point guard] that much. When I got here, I knew I had to work on my handle. Coach told me I’m not going to have the privilege to sit down and watch everyone play and learn. I knew I was going to have to get in and play.”
Neal admits he’s surprised about his play, but believes his high school strife helped prepare him mentally for playing Division-I basketball.
In 2009, Neal - then freshman at Northern Guilford - helped the Night Hawks win the 3A state title. However, several players were ruled ineligible and Northern was stripped of its title.
“It motivated me a lot and it got me to push me to become a better player,” Neal said. “Definitely when I got here, it motivated me to be the best player I can be.”
App State head coach Jason Capel has been impressed by his freshman guards.
“In recruiting these two, I knew they would have a very bright future. I didn’t expect to throw them in the fire this early, but it became apparent early that they were ready,” Capel said. “They’re going to have games like Davidson where they look like freshmen, but I’ve been very pleased. They’re two kids who want to learn and do what you tell them to do.”
Coach Capel, a freshman phenom himself during his playing days at Chapel Hill, said through a laugh that Hamilton and Neal don’t have the same confidence he had back when he was a freshman.
“Not the same, not the same,” Coach Capel said. “I’m a pretty confident person, but the biggest thing I see is these two guys who want to learn.”
However, Capel can’t conceal his confidence in his backcourt, as the team enters into the back half of the conference schedule.
They’ve been a part of this growth process and they’ve been thrown in the fire in the early stage of their career, and because of that they’ve had time to learn from their mistakes,” Capel said. “They’re not really freshmen anymore.”
Appalachian State will travel to Greensboro Thursday to take on the UNCG Spartans and will return to Boone for a potential first-place battle with Elon Saturday at 2 p.m.
Story: JAKE AMBERG, Sports Editor
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