Televised Debut Could Bring Scholarships for TC Williams Ballplayers

T.C. Williams basketball coach Ivan Thomas went on vacation after his team won the Virginia state championship over Bethel. The big game was broadcast live on a regional commercial television network for the first time.

But since he’s returned from Spring Break, Thomas has been hearing from lots of folks who watched his Titans in prime time.

And not just old friends and fans. Turns out college scouts were tuned in, too.

“I got the phone ringing off the hook about players who weren’t getting looks,” he says. “[Recruiters] noticed my guys, all because it was on TV.”

Thomas says that going into the state tournament, senior forward Anthony Winbush was the only Titan getting Division 1 looks. Now, three of Winbush’s teammates on the 29-3 champs are also being courted by major college programs.

“People are calling about Travis now,” Thomas says of senior guard Travis Berry.

Berry, a lefty bomber, hit 85 three pointers on the year, including five in the championship game. Among Berry’s suitors: Western Kentucky, which played No. 1 seed UCLA tough but lost their Round of 16 NCAA Tournament matchup last night.

“They should have been calling before this,” Thomas says, “but now they’ve seen him.”

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