For Tevin Hanner, senior year has been all about leading Milford Mill to its second-straight Class 3A state championship.
With that mission accomplished earlier this month, the 6-foot-5, 185-pound small forward was ready to focus on recruiting. On Monday afternoon, Hanner decided to continue his basketball career close to home by committing to Loyola.
"I felt like it was time," Hanner said Tuesday. "I felt that it was the perfect fit for me, both academically and athletically. And I felt that based on talking with my family and everything. They felt that I'm ready, so I had to do it. There was no reason to wait."
Hanner, a Baltimore Sun second-team All-Metro selection, was also recruited by Robert Morris, St. Francis (Pa.) and Towson – before the Tigers made a coaching change. Varsity Sports Network first reported Hanner's commitment.
Hanner joined the Millers' JV squad as a freshman before being elevated to varsity by the end of the year. Milford Mill coach Albert Holley called Hanner one of the "hardest-working, most determined players" he has ever coached.
"Tevin's the kind of player that does it all," Holley said. "He works hard, he plays hard, he defends, he rebounds, he scores. In practice, he makes all his teammates better. He's a large part of it."As a senior, Hanner averaged about 13 points, eight rebounds, three blocks and two steals. He scored 17 points and grabbed 19 rebounds in the Millers' 56-44 win over Centennial in the state title game. Holley said Hanner's "freakish athleticism" separates him from other wings his age. That attribute should serve him well at Loyola.
"I think at some point, he can be an all-league player," Holley said. "He has the work ethic and the skills. That's the key for him in college -- playing for a coach like Jimmy Patsos that demands and pushes real hard."
Loyola started showing interest in Hanner during his junior year, but ramped up its pursuit last summer. Patsos and Greyhounds assistant coach Greg Manning served as a "one-two punch" in recruiting Hanner. The coaching staff was a major draw for him.
"Patsos really did it for me," Hanner said. "He showed me how much of a good coach and a people person he is throughout the whole recruiting process, especially when I went on my official visit. … He was real honest. Being in the recruiting process for so long, you kind of see who was beating around the bush and who was not. Patsos was one of those people."
Whenever Hanner had a question about Loyola, former Cardinal Gibbons standout Dylon Cormier – a Greyhounds freshman – was happy to provide an answer. Hanner and Cormier are "good friends" thanks to their time spent playing for Crusader Nation on the summer circuit.
With Hanner, Cormier, former John Carroll center Josh Wiegand, and St. Frances point guard R.J. Williams – who committed to the Greyhounds in December – on the roster, Loyola will have a decidedly local flavor next season.
"It proves that they're trying to put Baltimore on the map with people in-state instead of going out and recruiting people out of state," Hanner said. "Basically, why not do it with the guys that are here? There's a lot of talent in Baltimore."
Hanner sees some parallels between Loyola's program now and Milford Mill when he started high school. The Millers were "an average program" then, but thanks to "a couple pieces put together and great coaching from Coach Holley," they are now Baltimore County's unquestioned power. Hanner hopes for similar results with the Greyhounds. He can't wait to get started.
"It's a special feeling," Hanner said. "All my hard work I put in, all the years finally paid off."
Photo by of Tevin Hanner by Steve Ruark for The Baltimore Sun / March 12, 2011