Stephen Hill pretty much does it all at Miller Grove High School. Not only is the senior a star in three sports, but he is looked up to away from athletics as well. “Steve is a positive role model on and off the court,” explained basketball head coach Eddie Johnson. “He’s a leader. On the court, he’s a spark to where if the team is out of control, he’s the glue that gets the team back together. Off the court, he’s pretty much the father of the team. He’s a jokester, but at the same time he knows when it is time to be serious.”
Hill possesses the uncommon gift of responsibility when it comes to being a well-known person at his school and in his community.
“I am kind of a leader off the field because I don’t get myself into trouble,” he says. “And I know that people are watching me, so I don’t want to bring that bad image to myself.”
The star football/basketball/track athlete from Lithonia made a name for himself by being a go-to player of sorts on the football field. The wide receiver scored 10 touchdowns this past season for the Wolverines, who finished with a 5-4-1 record, the best record and first winning season in the school’s brief four-year history. Eight of the scores were receptions, but Hill also scored on a kickoff and punt return.
Hill’s prowess on the gridiron led to his getting scholarship offers from major programs throughout the southeast, including several SEC and ACC schools. Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Georgia Tech, Boston College and North Carolina reportedly made offers to Hill. But recanting an early decision to commit to Central Florida shocked many in the recruiting world. In the end, Hill decided to stay closer to home.
“I was committed to Central Florida at first,” Hill stated. “The reason why I was committed to them was that I had a good relationship with their coaches, even though I didn’t go down there to visit. But some things came up where I knew I wanted to go a little bit bigger. So I chose Georgia Tech because I really like the atmosphere.”
OFF THE GRIDIRON
Now in the middle of basketball season where he shines as a combo guard/forward, Hill will try to lead the Wolverines to the state championship. The team is currently atop the rankings in Class 4A.
On the hardwood, Hill is somewhat of a catalyst for the Wolverines, who also feature Tech basketball commitment Mfon Udofia.
“(His strengths) are his quickness, his rebounding, and his defense; he’s our defensive stopper,” Johnson declared. “Also, if it’s a close (game), he’s known to get the dunk that hypes the team up to get them over the edge.”
After leading Miller Grove to its best season ever in football, then stepping onto the basketball court to star for the state’s number one team, one might think Hill would take a rest to admire his accomplishments before graduation. On the contrary, the versatile athlete will trade his high tops for running shoes in the Spring. Hill will compete in the long jump, the 400 and 300 hurdles, and two relays. He also has a goal of setting a state record.
“My best event is the long jump and I really want to break Christian Taylor’s record this year, which is 25 feet, 6 inches,” Hill says.
Black can be reached at sblack@scoreatl.com.
Loading ...
