2008-2009 Season

[J-Rod]

Sure looking forward to next season, can't wait to see Ji Xiang on the floor, along with more playing time for players like Nitoto and Campbell. Hopefully we bring in some strong scorers this recruiting season.

[ksmooth21]

We definitely need to bring in some big time recruits. I too am interested in seeing what Xi can do.

[Sportsbow]

Bob Nash was on Artie Wilson's "On Point" show this morning. He said that they do have a commit but, can't comment for obvious reasons. I'm not sure if he said commit or commits because my cell phone rang at that time and got side-tracked for a few seconds. This commit or commits must be either PF, Patras Balocka or SG, Lasha Parghalava or both, who visited UH last weekend.

[Sportsbow]

Jeff Portnoy's reliable source says it's the two European players that committed to UH.

LINK: http://hoopstalk.honadvblogs.com/2008/0 ... /#comments

Meanwhile, great news for the UH Basketball team on the recruiting front. Reliable sources tell me that the two JC pkayers in town last week have verbally committed. National signing day is still 10 days away, but these guys are bigtime. Both were recruited by Big east schools for example. Both are Europe, one from the Republic of Georgia and the other from Lithuania. One is a 6′8′ power forward and the other a 6′2′ two guard. Also, I have it from a reliable source that at least one UH coach has stayed behind in Texas to visit a top 5 JC small forward. Things are beginning to look up and if this continues, look for the Bows to return next year ready to make some noise in the WAC.

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PETRAS BALOCKA PF, 6-8, 258 lbs.
(Pensacola JC - Pensacola, FL)

Visited UH on 3/28/08

Rivals.com profile: http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/viewprosp ... _key=73964

Stats: http://www.njcaa.org/schmain.cfm?sid=4& ... 4&cid=1367

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LASHA PARGHALAVA SG, 6-2, 175 lbs.
(Pensacola JC - Pensacola, FL)

Visited UH on 3/28/08

Rivals.com profile: http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/viewprosp ... _key=76516

Stats: http://www.njcaa.org/schmain.cfm?sid=4& ... 4&cid=1367

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Sportsbow]

Jucojunction.rivals.com just confirmed their commitment.

LINK: http://jucojunction.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=795592

April 9, 2008

Pensacola duo will stay together

Talk about it in Florida forum

Petras Balocka, (SO) 6-foot-8 (230), and Lasha Parghalava, (SO) 6-foot-2, will remain teammates next year when they travel to the Hawaiian Islands and play at the University of Hawaii according to Pensacola Junior College Head coach Paul Swanson.

Balocka played at East Tennessee State University last year where he saw action in 13 games. Petras prepped at Community Christian School in Atlanta, GA for coach Linzy Davis. Balocka visited Rutgers back on March 1-2 and recently visited Hawaii with Lasha.

"The two of them really walked away liking what they saw. It is a great chance for both of them to go in and play right away," said Swanson.

Balocka had a great season for the Pirates this season. The 1st team All-Panhandle Conference performer recorded 17 double-doubles this season. Petras averaged 13.6 and 11.2 rebounds this past season. Lasha had been committed to South Florida but reopened his recruitment and decided to join Balocka in Hawaii next season. Parghalava averaged 11.4 ppg this season for the Pirates.

[uhwarrior23]

Awesome news! Great start to the recruiting season. Hopefully we can get 3 more solid players. It would be cool if we could get that dude from Grant HS, that top 5 JC forward from Texas and another solid big man.

[chawan_cut]

wonder how you say that name.

[Scott]

wonder how you say that name.

Imagine if Petras is a huge defensive player that blocks a lot of shots! "PETRAS BALOCKA another one!"