The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Why 2K stands tall with Bothwell
Michael Bothwell has made more baskets for Cornerstone Christian than Andy Weybrecht will remember.
After Bothwell completes his senior year and moves on to play Division I college basketball at Furman University in Greenville, S.C., the Patriots’ coach’s most enduring memory stems from one hot evening over the summer.
Cornerstone attended a camp in Mount Vernon. The Patriots played 15 shortened games during the day and, exhausted, returned to their Willoughby campus that evening.
Weybrecht hastened his sluggish players off the team bus upon arrival. Weybrecht’s 9-year-old son waited on his father’s return to coach his baseball game later that evening.
When Weybrecht implored the Patriots with the reason for his hurry, one voice answered.
“Oh, he’s got a game tonight?” Bothwell asked. “Where at?’
That night, Bothwell accompanied the Weybrechts to their baseball game.
“It’s truly remarkable how great of a kid he is and how humble he remains throughout all this,” Weybrecht said. “All the accolades, everything he’s accomplished, he’s an unbelievable kid who still cares more about his teammates and everyone else than himself.”
Bothwell is a state champion and, after he scored 33 points in the Patriots’ win against Hudson WRA on Feb. 20, a member of the 2,000-point club.
His supreme basketball ability takes a backseat to Bothwell’s personality, affable and humble. Before answering any questions after any game, he points out “first of all, I’ve got to thank god.”
He is quick to credit teammates and coaches.
Bothwell’s reputation off the court seemingly equals his talent on it.
“I want people to know that I’m a good kid and a nice person to be around,” Bothwell said. “Respectful to everyone, no matter if you can benefit me or you can’t, I want them to know that yeah, I can be dangerous on the court, but I’m more of a good guy and that’s just what I want people to know.”
Bothwell’s era at Cornerstone Christian transformed the Patriots’ boys basketball program.
Bryan Gee, Isaiah McQueen and Tyrez Shephard laid the foundation for Cornerstone Christian’s current status. Jack Kelsheimer and Brandon McQueen played critical roles in the Patriots’ 2016 state championship.
Bothwell, the 2016 D-IV Player of the Year, put Cornerstone on the map.
Bothwell went 53-0 during his three middle school seasons. When he arrived at the high school, Coach Dan Selle knew he could start adding more D-I and D-II powers to his schedule.
“What makes Mike special is Mike wanted to bring on all the best teams,” Selle said. “Mike didn’t want to settle with getting buckets on lesser opponents.”
Bothwell is from Cleveland Heights. He admits the thought crosses his mind daily what may have happened had he stayed in the Tigers’ school district and teamed with current seniors Yahel Hill and Tyreke Smith.
His attendance at Cornerstone had nothing to do with basketball. Bothwell’s mother wanted him to receive a Christian education when she enrolled him at the school before he began sixth grade.
The opportunity presented by Cornerstone’s program afforded Bothwell a chance to grow. When he was younger, Bothwell looked up to players such as Hill, Holy Name’s Dwayne Cohill and Solon’s Sincere Carry.
But part of why Bothwell continued his education at Cornerstone was a chance, alongside friends like Titus Wheeler and Martel Ferrell, to create a tradition for the Patriots. While his peers made their names playing for established, elite programs, Bothwell hoped to make his own mark.
As a result, one of Ohio’s best players can be found at one of its smallest schools.
When Bothwell continues to college, he’ll likely do the same for Furman.
Keep an eye on the Paladins in the next few seasons. It won’t be a surprise to see Bothwell leading Furman to the NCAA Tournament out of the Southern Conference, maybe on a Cinderella run as a No. 10 seed.
From there, who knows what Bothwell will do?
Whatever the case, it’s a safe bet he’ll somehow remain involved with basketball.
“It’s just fun,” Bothwell said, “playing against good competition and running up and down the court. I want to do it for the rest of my life. I love the game.”
Barnes can be reached at NBarnes@News-Herald. com; on Twitter: @natebarnes_