BLACKSVILLE, W.Va. – Two years ago, Clay-Battelle forward Mojo Chisler didn’t know if he’d ever play basketball again. Now, he’s leading the No. 5 Cee-Bees in one of their best seasons to date and has committed to 212 Sports Academy, a highly-esteemed prep school for basketball players taking a gap year between high school and college.
“I’m looking to go there, improve myself as a person and basketball player,” Chisler said. “And then I’ll see what opportunities open up to me after that. I’m excited about that right now.
“Committing took some stress off my back. I don’t have to worry about that when I’m playing, I can focus on our [the team’s] goal of winning the state tournament.”
Chisler’s journey is one of perseverance. After fracturing his elbow at the end of his freshman year, and then the injury getting infected, his tricep all but deteriorated. The rehabilitation period was a long one, benching him during his sophomore season. But last year, Chisler quickly became a go-to scorer for the Cee-Bees, as well as a staunch defender, helping the team in then what was a pivotal year. His goal remains the same as it was last year, get the team on a state-title run, one they, unfortunately, didn’t get to make last year after being knocked out of the postseason by rival Trinity.
“To get back on the court last year, it was great to be able to experience that again,” he said. “To see all the hard work I put into recovering and getting to this point in seeing that actualized and having success this year is rewarding for me.”
They wouldn’t have gotten a chance, anyway, since the entire boys’ state tournament was canceled before it even began.
This year is different. With the realignment, Clay-Battelle (10-1) has a brand new section and region to battle it out in, and at the moment are favorites to win one of the two regional titles as their lone loss so far is to far-away Greenbrier West.
“I’m really pleased with the start of the season,” he said. “I think everyone on the team has the same goal, I don’t think we have anyone caught up in their stats; we all just want to win games and make a run at the state tournament. We think we’ve been playing better every game.”
As for other goals, he wants to have fun and hopes the rest of his team has fun. To Chisler, the pandemic has shown them that everyone needs to appreciate the time they get to play. He also sees similarities between his injury recovery and facing the pandemic.
“The injury made me appreciate any time I’ll get on the court,” he said. “When I heard we were only having 17 games I wasn’t disappointed, I was excited and said, ‘OK, let’s make a run at this. I get my chance now.’ I think the injury made me realize any opportunity I get at this I should be happy for and appreciate.”
Despite what happens, Chisler’s commitment on Tuesday to 212 Sports Academy is a huge step in securing his dream to play college ball. The academy has produced NBA players Jonathan Isaac (Orlando Magic) and Anfernee Simons (Portland Trailblazers) as well as top college players like Wisconson’s Aleem Ford whose season just ended in the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a 76-63 loss to No. 1-seed Baylor. It’s no secret 1A public schools don’t get the needed exposure to get guys on Division I rosters, and Chisler believes playing in Sarasota, Fla., will help him secure one of those lucrative spots.
“I thought the name recognition would help a lot coming from a school like that rather than to come from Clay-Battelle in Mon County,” he said, “but the other thing, if I were to go to college this year I’d be competing with five classes because of the seniors being able to return because of the coronavirus. My family and me decided I could go and spend a year getting better then come back and play college ball and be more ready for it.”
Tuesday’s win over Cameron kicked off the Cee-Bees final regular season stretch which picks back up April 5. They will look to sweep four teams they’ve already beat en route to the postseason.
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