MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Mike Maumbe is well versed in traveling. The University High boys’ basketball senior forward/center was born in Michigan before moving to Africa, Kentucky and then Morgantown where he’s been since the 3rd-grade. And now the next leg of his life journey is taking him to Pensacola, Fla., committing to the University of West Florida, a Division II program in the Gulf South Conference.
Maumbe was a cornerstone in the Hawks’ lineup, silently leading the team from the frontcourt, speaking with actions rather than words. He wasn’t a ball-hog, playing the assist and rebounder role more than a shooting or slasher role averaging 6 points and boards per game, but he was never afraid to make a statement and slam down a one-handed dunk from time to time. This caught the eye of UWF head coach Jeff Burkhamer, Maumbe’s main reason for choosing to commit to the Argonauts.
If Burkhamer sounds familiar, it’s because he’s a bit of a legend in West Virginia. A Williamstown native, Burkhamer went on to attend Alderson Broaddus where he was one of the best point guards to wear a Battlers’ uniform. After college, he moved around as a Division I assistant coach (Winthrop, Charleston Southern, Morehead State and Marshall) before landing his first head coaching gig at North Greenville College in 1990. Twenty-five years later, in 2015, he became the UWF frontman, helping turn the program around since. It was his interest and commitment to Maumbe that ultimately sealed the deal.
“It came down to the coach Burkhamer, he really believed in me,” Maumbe said. “That was a big thing for me. That, and the coaching staff and their belief in me.”
Maumbe’s basketball career dates back to the 1st-grade, but it was when he joined UHS coach Joe Schmidle’s team four years ago that his potential became clear. A pivotal player in the Hawks’ 2019 state title run, as well as the 2019-2020 regular season which saw the Hawks lead the state in the No. 1 spot for all but one week only sealed the deal.
“The feeling is surreal,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the next level. I know it’s going to be challenging, but that’s something that I want.”
His journey to play college ball hasn’t been the easiest, though. Before his final season of AAU eligibility, Maumbe suffered an injury that dashed any hopes of him playing. Due to that, a handful of coaches were unable to watch him in his prime, prolonging the process. Nonetheless, Burkhamer was there – even if it was later than what Maumbe may have wanted.
“The process was slower for me,” Maumbe said. “They came in around the start of this [virus pandemic]. Burkhamer liked what he saw on film and was able to pull it off for me.”
Maumbe credits his success to his high school coaches and teammates. To him, steel sharpens steel, or in this case, Kaden Metheny and K.J. McClurg sharpened him.
“The guys, they pushed me,” Maumbe said. “We pushed each other past our limits. We’d go at each other all the time, always battling against each other because we’re so competitive. It was always, ‘Hey, you want to play 1-on-1? Let’s go at each other for a little bit.’ It was always that constant competition that developed my game.
“[Metheny and McClurg] really developed my skills. I’ve never really had a [long-term] trainer, but I’ve bounced around from trainer to trainer. And my coaches really pushed me. When I’m by myself, I have to go to a gym and do my own drills, focusing on what I need to work on and get better at.”
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