The last month has been a wild ride for Eli Campbell.
Days have been filled with a wide-ranging emotions.
Fortunately for the Midland Trail all-state guard, Monday morning inside the John Flournoy Center was one of joyous times.
With family, coaches, teammates and friends in attendance, Campbell ended his high school career on a high note, signing a National Letter of Intent to play basketball for WVU Tech next season.
“Just a rush of adrenaline really. It’s a blessing from God and I can’t be thankful enough for this opportunity,” Campbell said about signing with the Golden Bears.
In early April, the Campbell family had their lives turned upside down when their home and property received extensive damage from a tornado that ravaged parts of Fayette County.
“It has been very back and forth because a day after the tornado, I had to post that I signed with (WVU) Tech,” Campbell said. “Just one thing after another, but I think everything has a purpose in life.”
While Campbell has held tightly to his faith during the roller-coaster events, his time on the court has also been a much needed place to retreat.
“It’s definitely a way to take my mind off of everything at home,” Campbell said. “It feels like a different life.”
On the hardwood in his high school career, Campbell was often in a different world in regards to his opponents.
During his senior campaign, Campbell averaged almost 17 points, four rebounds and four assists to help lead the Patriots to a 20-3 record over the regular season.
The all-state guard also tied the school record for most 3-pointers in a game going nine-for-nine at PikeView, matching the out-puts from Dillon Harper and Nate Hanshew.
His outstanding play also earned Campbell Class AAA second team all-state honors from the West Virginia Sportswriters Association and an invite to play in the prestigious Little General Stores Scott Brown Classic.
“He is a coaches dream to have. We have been at it for four years and over those four years, at least not to my face, he has never complained or said one thing negative,” Midland Trail head coach Curtis Miller said. “Anything that you ask him to do, he will go do it. He just does all of the little things that any coach would want.”
Even though Campbell can fill it up from deep, he is more notably a complete player according to his coach.
“He did score a lot of points here, but it was the other things he did that made him a special player,” Miller said. “Whether it was taking charges, diving on balls, or his ability to give up a shot for a better shot. Eli is what a basketball player should be.”
The future Golden Bear is excited to be playing at the next level, but he also knows there are challenges ahead.
“I definitely have to work with the players and coaches a lot. I have been up there some already working with the team and bonding,” Campbell said. “The coaches are really the reason I am so excited to go play there. Three very good coaches that I have looked up to for a very long time. It will take time with a lot of work and effort, but I feel like I can get there.”
Miller is also convinced that his former standout can make an impact at the college level.
“I think he can be a great role player in college over at Tech just because he can shoot it. His IQ is so much higher than most of the people he is on the floor with,” Miller said. “Just his overall quickness and strength is what he needs to get better on. Once he gets on a college campus where they do that, they will fix it.”
