Dennis to study, continue basketball at Waynesburg
Point guard averaged 12 ppg in 2021
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PARKERSBURG -- Although undecided upon a major, Parkersburg High School guard Carson Dennis made it official Wednesday afternoon that he'll continue his career on the hardwood for Waynesburg University.
Dennis, who spent his first two seasons at Parkersburg South and had a cumulative 3.6 GPA that included a 4.0 GPA last year and a 3.81 this year, will play for the Division III Yellow Jackets of head coach Tim Fusina in the Presidents' Athletic Conference.
"I think PHS prepared me really well for that," Dennis said of succeeding as a student-athlete at the next level. "Coach Bryan (Crislip) and the whole staff did a great job with that and keeping us prepared."
Even though the Big Reds were limited to just a dozen games this spring, Dennis finished with 19 made 3s and had averages of 12 points, 2.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game.
"Carson Dennis is a coach's dream," admitted Crislip.
"He showed up everyday willing to do anything to make the team better. When he first came to PHS, we played him off the ball at his natural position, shooting guard. This year after losing three guards he was thrown into the point guard position.
"Even though it wasn't his natural position, he never complained. Carson worked hard and did everything we asked of him. Waynesburg is getting a special kid. If he goes up there, takes the weight room serious and understands the offense, he could have a special career."
Aside from going up this past October to Waynesburg, Dennis also made official visits to Muskingum University and to West Virginia Tech.
"I like how quiet it is. It's all really close together and I don't have to travel much," said Dennis, who was scouted by Waynesburg at AAU tournaments. "The dorms are right beside the arena and everything and just the people there are really friendly. One of the things that stood out to me when I got there was they were friendly."
The Big Red, who graduates on Saturday, said he doesn't know anyone on the team or at the school.
"I'm pretty excited for that," Dennis said of starting with a clean slate. "It's a great opportunity to be around some new kids and make some new friends. I'm going up there as a point guard.
"That's really what they recruited me as, go up there and help them run their offense.
They are a very young team. I think there's a good chance I could play next year. It's a good opportunity all around."
Basically a 6-footer, Dennis said he knows he has to get quicker and gain more strength.
"I think I am a very good decision maker and a great shooter, but I have to work on getting stronger this offseason," admitted Dennis, who noted the school is going to match the funds for the PROMISE Scholarship he qualified for but couldn't use it because he was going out of state.
As for his time as a Big Red, he added
"I just really enjoyed all the practices and all the team meals we ate, and getting to know the kids better. It was great having kids like Bryson Singer, Sam Potts and Noah Umpleby. I really enjoyed all the games, although it (this season) didn't end the way we wanted it to."
"I'm glad to be done with school, but don't want to leave all my friends. There are a lot of great teachers there, and I don't want to leave the program. I'm very excited. I can't wait to start. It should be a great year up there."
Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com