Congratulations to Trey Tatum (2012) on his recent committment to Maryville College.  Trey will suit up for the Fighting Scots basketball program in 2012-2013 after a great career at Bishop McGuinness.  Below is the press release from Maryville Sports Information.

Trey Tatum, a 6’3 guard from Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School has committed to continue his education and basketball career at Maryville College.  Tatum, the son of Bob and Eileen Tatum from Greensboro, NC was a senior standout for the Villains and head coach Josh Thompson.   As a three year starter for Bishop McGuinness, Trey was selected to the 2011 Greensboro News and Record All-Area Team, the 2011 Northwest 1A/2A All-Conference team, and again as an honorable mention member to the Northwest 1A/2A All-Conference team in 2012.  Trey was also selected to participate in the Forsyth County East-West All-Star game.  In his final season, Trey averaged 14 points and 5 rebounds per game.  Randy Lambert, head coach of the Fighting Scots, had these comments about Trey’s commitment, “Trey comes to us from an excellent high school program.  He has the skill set and the basketball I.Q. to play at the college level.  As a perimeter player in our program, we are looking to take advantage of his shooting ability.” Lambert went on to add, “He should be a natural in our motion offense.  He is a welcome addition to our program.” 

Tatum will be joining a Scots basketball team that finished the 2011-2012 year with an 18-10 record.  The MC Cagers also accomplished a Great South Athletic Conference Tournament championship and another birth in the NCAA Division III National Tournament, their 13^th selection in 14 seasons. Head Coach Randy Lambert has been at Maryville College for 32 seasons, and has 602 wins to his credit – all at his alma mater. 

Maryville College is ideally situated in Maryville, Tenn., between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Knoxville, the state’s third largest city. Founded in 1819, it is the 12th oldest institution of higher learning in the South and maintains an affiliation with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Known for its academic rigor and its focus on the liberal arts, Maryville is where students come to stretch their minds, stretch themselves and learn how to make a difference in the world. Total enrollment for the spring 2011 semester is 1,103 men and women, representing approximately 17 states and15 countries.

Congratulations to Aaron Toomey ('07-'10) on his college committment to Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts.  Aaron selected Amherst over Winthrop, UNC-Wilmington, St. Bonaventure, UNC-Asheville, Vermont, and various NCAA Division 2 institutions.  Aaron had also received interest from Florida State, Davidson, and Wake Forest.

In the end, the academic reputation of Amherst won out over the bigger schools for Aaron.  Amherst had over 8000 applicants in 2010 and accepted just under 500.  180 valedictorians from their respective high schools were turned down for admission to Amherst.  Forbes magazine has Amherst ranked as the eighth best college in the United States, ahead of MIT, Stanford, Yale, and Columbia.  Washington Monthly ranks Amherst as the # 1 liberal arts school in the country.

On the basketball side, Amherst won the NCAA Division 3 National Championship in mens basketball in 2007, and has reached the tournament every year since the 1999-2000 season.  The Lord Jeffs compete athletically in the NCAA Division 3 and play in the NESCAC.  Head Coach Dave Hixon has been the coach at Amherst for 32 seasons.  As the winningest coach in school history, the 8th winningest active Division 3 coach in the nation and the 12th winningest coach in NCAA Division 3 history, Hixon has guided the Jeffs to a 598-232 overall record, 12 NCAA Tournaments, 13 ECAC Tournaments, 16 Little Three titles and NESCAC Championships in 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2006 while posting a 21-5 record in NESCAC tournament play.

Aaron is the crown jewel of the 2010 recruiting class for Amherst which included 5 players, from Florida, New Hampshire, California, New Jersey, and North Carolina.

Aaron is the most decorated player in Bishop McGuinness Basketball history, scoring 2003 career points and holding more than 5 school records in scoring, assists, free throws, and other various categories.  The 2 time Associated Press All-State selection also was a McDonald's All American Nominee and played in the prestigious NCHSAA East-West All Star Game.  Aaron led the Villains to a 31-2 record and the 2009 NCHSAA State Championship, garnering MVP honors in the championship game as well as the Western Regional.  Toomey was also the 2 time conference player of the year, earning the honor in back to back years, 2009 and 2010.

Ross played four years on the varsity team at Bishop McGuinness.  He was Coach Thompson's first four-year varsity player.  After grade school at Our Lady of Grace in Greensboro, Ross joined the varsity as a freshman.  After starting 5 games his freshman, year, he became a three year starter for the Varsity Villains and went on to set many records in Bishop Basketball History.  Ross was a three-time All Conference Player for the Villains.  During his senior year, Ross helped lead Bishop to the 2009 NCHSAA State Championship, while being named the Most Outstanding Player in the game.  He also earned NCHSAA All- Western Region Honors as well as being named to the Winston Salem Journal All-Northwest Team, High Point Enterprise All-Area Team, and was Northwest Conference Player of the Year Runner-Up.

In May of 2009, Ross committed to play college basketball at Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC.