The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Transfers bring new look to Titans
Lorain welcomes Wilson and Billings
No matter the outcome of last season, Lorain knew it was facing a bit of a rebuild heading into summer practices.
In all, the Titans graduated four seniors, including three starters, and have to fill the void left behind by first-team All-Ohioan and Lorain County Mr. Basketball Devon Grant, as well as fellow All-Ohioan Taevon Pierre-Louis and top defender Kam Davis.
Then, on June 1, Lorain native Seth Wilson announced he was leaving Akron St. VincentSt. Mary and transferring back to his hometown. With the addition of former Clearview standout Jamir Billings, who transferred to Lorain shortly after the end of last season, Coach John Rositano was looking at what he called likely the most drastic retooling he’s faced since becoming head coach in 2013.
Thankfully, Rositano’s group is well-acquainted.
Wilson and Billings grew up in Lorain playing with current and former Titans through their AAU days, and have embraced their situations as more of a family reunion than anything.
“To join back up with them, it’s amazing because I’m back with family,” Wilson said. “It’s just like a big family reunion. We’ve all played together since kindergarten. It’s just great and I’m enjoying it. I feel like I’m back at home, making the right decision back in the right place.”
Wilson, a state champion (2018) and state finalist (2019) as a starting guard for St. Vincent-St. Mary the past two seasons, is used to the type of pace and energy it takes to play at the highest levels of Division I high school basketball.
After the Fighting Irish won the 2017-18 D-II championship, competitive balance bumped them up to D-I, where they advanced
to this season’s state title game before falling to defending champion Cincinnati Moeller.
Billings, on the other hand, comes from a much smaller program in Clearview, and a different league in the now-defunct Patriot Athletic Conference.
The Clippers found much success in the PAC. But playing against top-level D-I competition in the annual summer league at The Word Church in Warrensville Heights has been eyeopening for the 6-foot junior guard.
“It’s been different,” Billings said. “Playing in the PAC the last few years, the competition’s a little different. The speed of the game is a little different. There are bigger guys over here, faster guys, better handles. So it’s been an adjustment.
“Eventually, you either get used to it or you’re not gonna play. It’s one of two things: You’re gonna play a role or you’re not gonna play at all. But it’s tough, coming from Clearview, I was asked to do a lot more at Clearview than over here. But I like my role over here
and I’m cool with my role over here.”
The homecoming has been overwhelmingly positive for Billings and Wilson. While it’s been somewhat difficult initially to regain their chemistry on the court and accept new roles, having all that history has made the challenge a fun one.
“That’s when you learn how to play the game,” Wilson said of growing up with his teammates. “You learn everything that you know: The basics, fundamentals, teamwork, and when you
get back together it’s just putting all those things back together again with more pieces.
“It’s definitely difficult. But we’ve played together before, so it’s just getting back that chemistry we had when we were little and then watch out.”
The community has already embraced the two like they never left.
After making the announcement of his transfer, Wilson said his phone was flooded with notifications, and even with months to go until the 2019-20 season
tips off, the team can’t wait to get back in front of that Lorain crowd.
“I tweeted out that I was coming back and I got like 3,000 likes and retweets so it was cool,” Wilson said.
“I’m back home. I’m playing in front of a home crowd, everybody who’s watched me grow up from a little kid. To be back in front of them to finish my high school career out feels amazing . ... They bring a certain type of energy. They travel with you. They’re with you a hundred percent. It’s a great backing.”