HOLMES TOWNSHIP — Josh Crall will get the chance to fulfill his dream of playing college basketball.
The Wynford senior signed his letter of intent to continue his hoops career at Tiffin University next fall. Proximity, curriculum and style of play were factors in his decision to select the Dragons.
“Tiffin contacted me, and I met the coach,” Crall said. “I knew it was the right fit for me. They have a great business program and I want to major in business.”
Other suitors were Mount Vernon Nazarene and Malone, but the factors piled up in favor of Tiffin.
I’m excited for him because it’s a great opportunity,” Wynford coach Steve Mohr said. “Tiffin is moving in the right direction and I have a lot of respect for their coach, Tom Church. They play the same way we do — run and press — so he will have some easy adjustments.”
Crall jumped onto the college scouts’ radar by leading the Northern 10 Athletic Conference in scoring each of the last two years. In 2018-19, he averaged 26.5 ppg. as a junior.
Crall’s 1231 career points has him fifth all-time at Wynford and his 119 made three-point shots ranks second. He was named first team N10 and Northwest Ohio Associated Press each of the past two years and was District 6 First Team last year. Crall was named Honorable Mention All-Ohio in 2017-18 and Special Mention last year.
“When I started high school, I knew I wanted to play at the next level,” Crall said.
Tiffin will afford him that opportunity without having to travel far from home.
The Dragons compete in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference — a Division II league — which includes Alderson Broaddus, Cedarville, Findlay, Hillsdale, Kentucky Wesleyan, Lake Erie College, Malone, Ohio Dominican, Ohio Valley, Trevecca Nazarene, Ursuline, and Walsh.
“He has a burning, competitive fire in him,” Mohr said. “We call him a Level 5 competitor. He’s a complete player, an excellent defensive player and that’s why I think he’ll be successful at the next level.”
Crall remains focused on his senior year at Wynford, where he has some unfinished business.
“I want the team to do well, move far in the tournament and do well in the league,” Crall said. “I’d like to break the school scoring record.”
“I’m really pleased for him because it’s the result of a lifetime of work,” Mohr said.