HOLLSOPPLEBye. – Johnstown Christian College senior Unity Miller dreamed of enjoying faculty basketball at any time when she first began competing within the sport as a kindergartner.
Numerous hours spent enjoying the game over the previous 13 years had been rewarded in a giant method Wednesday when she formally dedicated to play basketball at NCAA Division III member Messiah College.
“The principle factor that stood out was that the teaching workers was tremendous supportive and concerned with their staff,” Miller stated. “There's a brilliant lengthy legacy, so it's only a nice program.”
The 5-foot-7 guard surpassed 1,000 profession factors as a junior. She burst onto the scene as a freshman and has been a feared shooter all through her profession.
“I've been enjoying since kindergarten, so it's at all times been a dream to play on the subsequent degree,” Miller stated.
The well being and bodily schooling main joins a Messiah program that has gone 188-25 over the previous eight seasons.
He believes he’ll slot in properly with the Falcons.
“It's nice to see how a lot success they're having, so I hope to have the chance to be part of that success as properly,” Miller stated. “I'm trying ahead to the chance to be challenged and develop in my expertise and simply with the ability to be part of a brand new staff and an excellent program. I positively love the staff facet of them.
“It actually seems like household, which I had right here at JCS. I hope to get a brand new household there too.”
Mechanicsburg-based Messiah is led by longtime coach Mike Miller, who accomplished his thirty eighth season in 2023-24. Miller compiled a 759-255 document throughout these years, together with 15 Center Atlantic Convention titles from 2002-23. The Falcons, who compete within the MAC Commonwealth Division, went 23-6 in 2023-24 and received seven straight league crowns in 2017-23.
The Falcons have superior to seven straight NCAA Tournaments. As a result of COVID-19 pandemic, there was no match in 2021. Shanksville-Stonycreek graduate Sidney Stutzman performed at Messiah from 2019-23.
Along with his electrical scoring potential, Miller can even carry loads of intangibles to the Messiah program.
“Her management was unbelievable,” Johnstown Christian coach Kevin Yoder stated. “She's one of the crucial expert basketball gamers I've seen in a very long time, however pretty much as good as she is on the court docket, she's higher off the court docket. Simply her management, the way in which she leads the staff, her non secular management is simply superb for somebody together with her athletic potential. Usually you get one or the opposite, however she's really a mixture of each.'
Taking part in with a excessive basketball IQ helped Miller course of the sport quicker and thrive.
“They're getting somebody who not solely has basketball expertise, however basketball smarts,” Yoder stated. “He not solely has basketball expertise, however he is aware of and understands the sport.
“I feel that may give her fairly a bonus when she will get to the following degree.
Miller additionally participated in soccer, cross nation and monitor (at Conemaugh Township as a co-op). She performed within the 2023 Santa Fund Soccer Basic and was a four-time PIAA cross nation qualifier. In cross nation, Miller helped Johnstown Christian win the 2023 District 5 Class 1A staff title.
Miller, who was chosen as a 2024 District 5 All-Star basketball staff, thanked his household for his or her continued assist.
“Undoubtedly my dad and mom,” Miller stated.
“My dad, he's been there for me all the way in which and inspired me since I began enjoying.
Miller is the daughter of Nick and Patti Miller of Windber.
Jake Oswalt is an editor for The Tribune-Democrat. Observe him on Twitter @TheWizOfOz11.
