Italy’s Cole Hopkins signs basketball commitment to Mary Hardin-Baylor
It was a proud day for the Hopkins family and Gladiator Nation as supporters gathered inside Italy Coliseum to witness Italy High School senior, Cole Hopkins signing his letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders. Pictured with Cole are father Brad Hopkins, grandfather Lawrence Maricle, grandmother Sandra Maricle, brother Jacob Hopkins, mother Cassandra Hopkins and sister Megan Hopkins. (Barry Byers)
Italy — Inside Italy Coliseum where Italy’s, 6’8" 220 pound senior, Cole Hopkins, perfected his court skills, Cole signed his letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders located in Belton,Texas on Friday. Cole was surrounded by schoolmates, fans, coaches and faculty who shared the special moment with the accomplished young star and his family.
Cole earned several basketball honors this season including the district’s Player of the Year, team MVP, Italy High School’s Gladiator of the Year and his team’s Defensive Player of the Year averaging 7.5 blocks per game. A unique talent as a big man, Cole is a versatile player whether he’s playing the post, knocking down long-range bombs or pushing the ball up the floor as a point guard.
Cole helped lead the Gladiators to a district championship in 2012 and as district runner-ups this season behind Dallas based Triple-A Academy who were the eventual 1A State champions for 2013.
Receiving a full scholarship totaling $31,500.00 to play for the Cru and head coach Ken DeWeese, who was recently named Small College Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches for the third time, Cole will be joining the UNHB basketball team who just compiled a 27-6 overall season record, advancing to the NCAA Division III National Championship Game for the first time in program history. UMHB’s 27 victories set a new school single-season record and the Crusaders finished the season ranked #2 in the country by D3hoops.com.
For Italy High School and the Italy Athletic Program, Cole has been a true leader on the campus as a role model to fellow students, a positive teammate and successful in the classroom where he will graduate with a 3.5 GPA.
“I would like to thank my family who have always been there for me, my current basketball coaches, Brian Coffman, Larry Mayberry and Josh Ward, my teammates and classmates, coach Hank Hollywood, my former coach, Aidan Callahan, my pee-wee coach, Mark Jacinto, and Gladiator Nation for all their support along the way,” commented, Cole.
Congratulations to Cole on signing to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor to play basketball and good luck as you transition from Gladiator to Crusader!