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	The Ypsilanti Courier A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

Thomas looks to blossom at Owens

By Dave Merchant, Staff Writer

PUBLISHED: January 3, 2008

For Eric Thomas of Ypsilanti, his dream of playing basketball after graduating from Willow Run High School last year has become a reality. Thomas is playing guard for Owens Community College in Toledo.

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This former standout for the Flyers has gone from scoring 17 points a game with two assists and two steals in high school to averaging about five points a contest in college.

"Right now I am only playing 10 to 12 minutes a game," Thomas said. "We have played 13 games so far this year but I have to say it is a different game in college.

The players are much bigger and it seems to be better organized."

He said that it is his intention to crack into the top seven spots on the team so he can get into a rotation to play more games.

"In college you really have to take care of class," he said. "We have had practice every day of the week (including Sunday)."

Currently he is taking his basic college courses like English and computers. Sociology is his favorite class in college right now.

Thomas is only five-foot, nine-inches tall and still remains a shooting guard in college. His cousin Artie Tomlin graduated with him last year and is now playing ball at Mary Grove College in Detroit.

"It is important to get good grades in high school," he said. "If you want to play in college and you have the skills you have to have the grades."

He said he has enjoyed the traveling with the team as well including a trip to Pittsburgh over Thanksgiving. Thomas was an all-around good athlete at Willow Run and even played quarterback, kicker and punt returnee for the football team.

When he is on break from school he stays in Ypsilanti with his mom but he and two other basketball players have an apartment only a couple blocks from school down in Toledo.

Willow Run basketball Coach Scott Hunter was the one who recommended him to the coach at Owens Community College for basketball.

"Eric was a good shooter," Hunter commented. "He scored a lot for us last year."

Hunter said that as a senior he was a leader on the team.

Owens Coach Kevin Skaggs has liked what he has seen from Thomas so far this season.

"Eric is doing fine and adjusting to the game," Skaggs said. "It is a difficult adjustment and his shots having been falling in transition."

Skaggs said that he has to adjust on defense because the high school game is so much different than the college game.

"I am surprised with his intensity," he said. "From high school to junior college the intensity level goes way up."

After Thomas graduates junior college he is already looking to play basketball elsewhere.

"I have already caught the eye of a coach from Bowling Green," he said. "I would like to come back and play in Michigan but going to a MAC team would be great."

Contact Staff Writer Dave Merchant at 697-8255 or dmerchant@heritage.com