Men's Basketball | 5/6/2017 7:16:00 PM

WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – West Liberty University head basketball coach Ben Howlett has added two more Ohio high school standouts to his first recruiting class.
Howlett, who assumed command of WLU's perennial Atlantic Region powerhouse when veteran head man Jim Crutchfield stepped down earlier this spring, announced that Will Yoakum and Joe Ochoa have signed to continue their athletic and academic careers with the Hilltoppers.
Yoakum and Ochoa will join fellow Buckeye State stars – 6-5 forward Marlon Moore of Cleveland Benedictine and 6-3 guard Keegan Saben of Centerville – on the hilltop campus in the fall. Moore and Saben cast their lots with WLU during the NCAA's early-signing period in November.
"We're really looking forward to welcoming these young men to West Liberty as part of our Hilltopper family," Howlett said. "Will and Joe obviously bring a lot to the table in terms of their talent, versatility and basketball IQ but they're also quality individuals off the court. Each of them is a really good fit for our program and will be an asset to the university."
Yoakum is a 6-3 wing who ranked among the leading scorers in the Columbus area as a senior, averaging better than 19 points and 7 rebounds a night at Delaware Hayes High School.
The Ohio Division I All-District selection was honored as the Delaware County Player of the Year after earning his second straight All-Ohio Capital Conference berth.
Equally comfortable spotting up from the perimeter or finishing at the rim, Yoakum capped his high school career by playing for Ohio in the annual Kentucky-Ohio All-Star Game.
"The thing that makes Will such a great fit for our program is that he knows how to play the game on both ends of the floor," Howlett said. "He has a great understanding and feel for moving without the basketball and the skill set that will allow him to be an all-court player for us. We're extremely excited to have Will on board."
Ochoa is a 6-7 leaper who emerged as one of the top low-post prospects in the Toledo area while leading Toledo Christian High School to a 19-5 record and its first outright Toledo Area Athletic Conference title in four seasons.
The high-flying Ochoa led the All-TAAC team as the TAAC Player of the Year while averaging more than 13 points and 13 rebounds a night. The Ohio Division IV All-District honoree made his mark as an enforcer in the paint throughout his career, setting a school record with 220 blocked shots.
"Joe is a 6-7 guy with great length and a very high ceiling," Howlett said. "He has the outstanding work ethic we've come to expect from a West Liberty player and a great skill set to go along with his size. Joe impressed us with his ability to defend against 'bigs' and guards and we can't wait to get him on campus in the fall."