Central's basketball standout Tre Tiller, seated center, signed a scholarship with Tennessee Wesleyan College on Monday. Tiller is flanked by TWC assistant coach Ray Stone, and Central coach Rick Rogers.
photo by Dennis Norwood
Tre Tiller, who was a key player in Central’s drive to the 2014-15 Class AA boys’ state tournament, has signed a scholarship with Tennessee Wesleyan College.
Central went 22-5 this past season enjoyed a brilliant postseason before running into Ripley at the state tournament in Murfreesboro. The Purple Pounders lost that first-round game, 84-69.
The Pounders beat District 6-AA rival Brainerd for the district and Region 3-AA championships and edged Livingston Academy, 75-72, in the sectional.
Tiller was a key cog in Central’s drive to the state tourney.
“There’s no greater day than today for a coach,” Central coach Rick Rogers said. “Nobody has meant more to me than Tre Tiller. We never would have made it to state without Tre because he put us on his back and carried us.
“I met Tre when he was an eighth-grader and (stood) 5-4. Now he’s 6-4. He’s grown a foot since we met.”
Tiller, who officially joined the TWC basketball family at a signing ceremony in the Central library, surrounded by teammates, students, faculty and family members, averaged 19 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots.
He scored more than 20 points in every postseason game.
Tiller was primarily recruited by TWC assistant coach Ray Stone.
“Coach Stone treated me life family,” said Tiller, who transferred from Tyner to Central and became the first signee during the Rogers’ tenure. “I really like the school and coach Stone told me I should get a lot of playing time and might be able to start my freshman year.”
Stone was happy to land Tiller.
“His better basketball days are ahead of him,” Stone said. “We feel like we got a steal in Tre and he has a very bright future ahead of him. We play at UTC next season and I’m sure Tre will have his own (cheering) section next season and I’m sure he will have his own section down there.
“If he didn’t handle his business in the classroom, he wouldn’t be here today. Let that be a lesson to you other guys out there.”
Rogers expects Tiller to have some company in the college ranks at opportunities arise with Rogers’ former teammates.
“This is just the beginning,” Rogers said. There are guys in this room, who will be seated up here at this table in the future. I’ve been watching basketball for 25 years and I’ve never seen a young man that can do the things he did on the court. I wish we had him for one more year to make the run (at a state tournament.
Tiller had 10 blocks in a game against East Hamilton this past season.
Tiller and Ryan Montgomery were Central’s first all-state picks in three decades. Tiller’s brother plays football at East Tennessee State University.
(E-mail Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @larryfleming44)
Tre Tiller, who signed scholarship papers to play basketball at Tennessee Wesleyan College, is surrounded by teammates and coaches at Central High on Monday.
photo by Dennis Norwood