Southern Miss Signs Armstrong
After helping the Plainview Bears Basketball Team to the 2018 Alabama Class 3A State Championship and spending a year of post-graduate basketball at Massanutten Military Academy in Virginia, Rainsville’s Jeffery Armstrong signed a letter of intent Thursday to continue his basketball career at Division 1, University of Southern Mississippi. New head coach, Jay Ladner and the Southern Miss Golden Eagles will, in the words of one Virginia sports writer who saw Armstrong play at Massanutten, be getting a “…heady, poised guard who led the team in charges. No mistake the team went 16-1 since he became a starter. The kid can go!”
Armstrong was quick to give credit to his school, teammates, and coaches. “This is a dream come true. I truly believe this would have never happened if I hadn’t made a move to Plainview. Plainview is a special place, and I am so thankful for all the people that helped me along the way. The guys accepted me and played a big part in this. We’re like family, and I’m thankful I was able to play with such a special group of guys. I can’t say enough about the coaching staff. The support and instruction along with just being around them helped me so much in my life. Coach Coker helped me elevate my game and put me in a position to succeed. There’s no telling how many phone calls or emails he sent out to colleges. He was so helpful through this stressful process, and I always knew I could trust him for advice. I can’t express how special Plainview is to my family and me.”
Plainview head basketball coach, Robi Coker, who already has three final four appearances and two state titles under his belt in just his first six years with the Bears, had the following comments about his talented protégé. “We’re extremely proud for Jeffery to be afforded this opportunity. We’ve all witnessed the amount of time and effort he’s committed to making this dream possible. To be able to see him mature as a player and man has been a true joy to watch. He’s an incredible young man that has certainly left a lasting impression on our school and community. Coach Ladner and Assistant Coach Kyle Roane did a great job of recruiting him, and I’m thankful he’s going to be able to play for quality coaches that will do right by him. It’s a great fit for him as a person, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for Jeffery.”
When asked about the recruiting process and his thoughts about becoming a Golden Eagle, Armstrong said, “Southern Miss started recruiting me hard after the coaching change. Coach Ladner and Coach Roane are very down-to-earth people that I felt very comfortable with. After I visited, we felt really well about it. Being in Conference USA was certainly a positive for my family and me, and it’s close enough to home that my family can see me play. My goal is to continue to get better and be able to help our team be successful.”