Tyrone senior basketball standout Sam Crilly has committed to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA to continue his academic and basketball career at the collegiate level.
Crilly chose St. Vincent after considering Misericordia and a few other schools. He plans to earn a degree in sports management.
“When I went on my first visit, I loved the campus right away and felt very welcomed by the coaches. I really liked their approach and style of play as well,” Crilly said.
Saint Vincent is a successful Division III program coached by St. Vincent Hall of Fame Coach DP Harris.
Harris earned his 400th career coaching victory last season and has an overall career record of 412-165. He is 12th in winning percentage among all active DIII coaches, and his teams have won four conference championships.
Last season, the Bearcats finished with a strong 20-6 record. In conference play, the Bearcats finished 16-4 as the second seed in the conference tournament. The Bearcats lost to Washington and Jefferson in the semifinals of the PAC Championship Tournament 87-79.
With Crilly’s scoring abilities and student-like approach to the game, he should be able to make an early impact for the Bearcats.
“I think Sam’s shooting will bring an immediate scoring threat to the St. Vincent team, but I also think his ability to study the game will also help him at the next level,” said Tyrone Head Coach Luke Rhoades.
Even with the bright future of college basketball ahead of him, Crilly has a great high school career to look back on.
As a senior, he averaged almost 18 points per game this season and shot 46% from 3-point range, and he finished his high school basketball career just 19 points short of 1,000 career points.
Crilly saw varsity time as a freshman, was the first man off the bench as a sophomore, and has been a starter and leader in scoring during his junior and senior years.
He is known for his shooting ability as well as his ability to drive to the hoop and score in the paint.
Crilly got his start in the sport at a very young age.
“I started playing on my Fisher Price hoop in the living room when I was a young lad,” Crilly said.
In the off-season, he plays on the AAU Sideline Cancer Club team and trains year-round in State College.
“Sam is the ideal leader and teammate because of his work ethic and desire to be a winner,” senior teammate Kendall Lehner said.
Crilly’s leadership spreads not only on the court but off the court and in the locker room.
Crilly’s teammates and coaches all attest to his strong work ethic and leadership qualities.
“Sam works tirelessly at developing his game and the skills necessary to play at the next level,” said Coach Rhoades.
He’s often the first guy in the gym and also the last guy out. His work ethic attributes to his success.
