Recordpub.com - KSU men get verbal from ex-Massillon star Porrini

By David Carducci

Record-Courier staff writer

Kent State added some needed toughness for the 2010-11 season when former Massillon Washington star Mike Porrini verbally committed to play for the Golden Flashes during a visit on Saturday.

The graduation of seniors like Chris Singletary and Frank Henry-Ala will could create a major void in next year’s team. Both players are team leaders with high basketball IQ’s and are willing to do all the little things that lead to winning basketball games.

Porrini as a tough-as-nails guard should help to fill that void.

“When I was growing up, I was never the biggest player,” said Porrini. “I had to bring something else to the table, and that’s always been my toughness. I think that may be what sets me apart from other guards. You can put me on the court against anyone from any team in the nation, and I’ll do whatever it takes to win.”

The 6-foot-2 Porrini, who can play both point guard and the two, started his college career at Western Carolina where he averaged 11.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 31 minutes per game as a freshman in 2007-08.

He left the Catamounts when he chose not to accept an indefinite suspension levied by WCU coach Larry Hunter in response to Porrini’s missing time to return home to northeast Ohio while tending to a family emergency.

“We didn’t have the understanding we needed,” said Porrini. “Coach (Hunter) and I didn’t see I to eye, so I decided to leave. I’ve changed a lot since then.

“When I first played in Division I, I was young. I had only just turned 18-years old. I’ve learned from the mistakes I made and now I’m really happy to be getting a second chance at Kent State.”

Flashes head coach Geno Ford also played for Hunter at Ohio University from 1993-97.

Porrini is currently averaging 10.7 points per game at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Fla., where he has become the team’s leader in his only season with the Commodores. That leadership was on display last week when Gulf Coast stunned junior-college national power Chipola 73-68.

“It was the first time in 12 seasons that Gulf Coast beat Chipola, and after the game Mike stood up in the locker room and talked about the commitment of the team,” said Gulf Coast coach Jay Powell. “He talked about how he was proud to be a part of the end of the 35-game winning streak Chipola had against us. That night stood out to me because it showed what a leader he is, how competitive he is and how much he desires to be a winner.

“Mike has skill and he has athleticism, but more than that he has the type of heart that coaches love.”

Porrini will have two seasons of eligibility at Kent State.

He will join fellow Massillon native Mark Henniger of Jackson High School on next year’s KSU recruiting class.

“I saw (Henniger) play against my brother (Jared) when Jackson played Timken and I thought he was a good kid with a lot of talent,” said Porrini. “He and my brother are in the same class and they talk all the time. In fact, he was the one who broke the news to my brother that I had committed to Kent State. I’m excited to get on the court with Henniger, and hopefully the two of us can help defend a Mid-American Conference championship next year.”

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David Carducci can be reached at dcarducci@recordpub.com