HyIQ Basketball: The Barn is Burning!

A few weeks ago during a conversation I had with Penn State Brandywine junior guard Bryce Barrouk, we happened to stumble upon discussing the open runs for players in the area. Among others, he mentioned the "Barn runs" to me. I asked for clarity and he told me that Jackson Hyland, a former Kennett High School and West Chester University standout guard that also played overseas in the British Basketball League had his runs for his brand HyIQ going on in "the barn." I told him to let me know how they were and the next day via text, Barrouk responded, "they're solid."

A week or so ago, I was extremely fortunate to connect with Hyland who had expressed interest in showing me what HyIQ Basketball is all about. I had seen Hyland play for three years in high school at Kennett, and subsequently for four years in my backyard West Chester University. Throughout his high school career, he was one of the leading scorers in the Ches Mont league during a time where names like Mikal Bridges (Great Valley/Villanova/Phoenix Suns) and Ryan Betley (Downingtown West/Penn/Cal Berkeley) were kings of the hill. While Kennett had only been a playoff team once during Hyland's time in the program, he was one of the leading scorers in the state and finished with 1,200+ points. Despite these numbers, he was highly under-recruited.

On the last day of his high school career, a game that Kennett lost to eventual district champion Octorara 55-41, West Chester University Head Coach Damien Blair and assistant coach Dane Watts were in Atglen, saw Hyland play and pulled the trigger offering him a scholarship!

At West Chester, Hyland developed each year. Don't believe me??? Check this out:

At West Chester, Hyland amassed 1,400 points. Do the math!! 200 more than his high school career! He has improved his game everywhere he's been and also been one of the two best if not the best player in that particular program, also going to play overseas. Who wouldn't want to learn from this guy??

On Tuesday night I took the 20 minute trip down 926 to Kennett Square. If you aren't from Chester County or don't know the town dubbed "The Mushroom Capital of the World," save your google searches. Outside of their 2002 state title run led by Rick Nelms, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania is not known for basketball. As I got out of the car at Upland Country Day School and looked for the gym I was confused. None of these buildings on this small, rural campus resembled a gymnasium. I looked at the signs and one pointed "GYM" to the right. I look over to my right and I see a barn. People were not lying when they told me that the gym is in the barn!

I walked in and greeted Jackson who was working out a group of elementary school aged kids. As he walked up to greet me and talk to me, the first thing I have to note is how enthused he was to have me in the building. I tried to keep the initial dialogue brief as he was still with these younger players who were now playing 3 on 3. I watched how he interacted with the group of young ballers. His reactions on made jumpers, steals, and blocked shots, matched if not exceeded those of the players. He was into it and the kids fed off of it trying to match his energy. Later, I saw Hyland get up and down during the college runs and his energy remained the same! Jackson Hyland gives everyone that enters his gym the same amount of respect and energy!!! He is a high class individual!!

After the younger group was done, he sought me out as players from West Chester University began to enter the gym. Hyland and I began trading stories and the why of what we both do. As we talked about the need to help players who are under recruited and under exposed to coaches at the next level, he points out Andrew "Buzzy" Hertz a 6"3 guard from Hyland's alma mater, Kennett. Currently, Hertz is an unsigned senior with interest from a few PSAC schools and several division 3's. Hyland explained to me how important he feels that guys such as Buzzy get opportunities to get up and down with current college players.

As more faces entered the gym, the ceiling of talent coming to "The Barn," was rising. Former all catholic league players Robert "Man Man" Smith and Jamil Maningo (Bishop McDevitt, Philadelphia) entered the gym. West Chester Henderson standout and York College All American Jason Bady was lacing his shoes up to my left. Kyle McGee (West Chester U Guard), Shane Scott (Gettysburg/Conestoga), and Tym Richardson (West Chester U/West Chester East), were shooting around at the far basket waiting for the runs to start. The quality of talent in this gym was solid. Hyland also informed me that he had a few other guys missing, most notably former Archbishop Wood guard Matt Cerutti who announced he was transferring to Albany to play for Dwayne Killings the following day. Regardless of who was in and who was out, these runs were going to be a pleasure to watch for anyone who is an enthusiast of small college basketball.

As one who is not a fan of plain pickup basketball, the barn runs were the complete opposite. Guys were sharing the ball, guys were communicating and in the right position more times than not defensively, and guys were screening well and splitting the post. This was good basketball!

In between runs, Hertz and Richardson conversed with me about the play on the court as well as HYIQ. Hertz who is essentially playing up until he graduates in June, told me HyIQ gets him better each week! This previous season, he helped pilot Kennett to second place in the Ches Mont's American division (behind District One 5A runner up Rustin)and their first district playoff appearance since Hyland himself took the program there in 2014. HyIQ has helped Buzzy Hertz DEVELOP!! Richardson who like many at the D2 and D3 levels didn't have a season, said that coming to play in the barn has helped build chemistry with his team during a shutdown season. Because of HyIQ basketball, players in programs such as West Chester have a place to play and keep their game sharp!!

Jackson was gracious enough to also allow us to interview him toward the end of his runs where he talked more about his career and HYIQ Basketball!

The Amoroso File thanks Jackson Hyland for having us down to the barn and is in full support of anything HyIQ Basketball does!!!!!