Charlotte Holds the Key with Point Guard

USF’s chances to sign Palm Beach Dwyer’s LeeMire Goldwire hinge on the results of the point guard’s visit this weekend to Conference USA-rival Charlotte, according the Dwyer coach Fred Ross.

“He’s up there (Charlotte, N.C.) this weekend and if they offer, I think he’ll probably commit,” Ross said. “I talked to South Florida’s head coach and they want to bring him in for an official visit next weekend. (Robert McCullum) said he wouldn’t bring LeeMire in if he wasn’t going to offer, but I think Charlotte is ahead right now.”

Goldwire (6-0/170) is an underrated talent who has also drawn interest from Georgia Southern and Eastern Kentucky. This year, he’ll finish up at Dwyer as a four-year starter who has helped lead the program to new heights. The Panthers advanced to the State Final Four in Class 5A in 2001-02 and were one shot away from repeating that feat again last season, finishing 34-3 and bowing out in the regional finals.

Goldwire was one of four double-digit scorers a year ago at Dwyer, averaging 14 points per game. He was named second team all-state and made the Final Four all-tournament team as a sophomore.

“I wish every kid I had was like LeeMire. He’s really developed himself into a ballplayer with hard work. Spending six or seven hours a day in the gym is nothing for him during the summer,” Ross said. “When he’s done working out at school, he just finds another place to work out.”

The coach said Goldwire began to catch the attention of schools even more this summer, starring at an AAU tournament in Orlando. He is a steady ballhandler and shooter, and a tremendous defensive player, averaging better than three steals per game.

Despite some reports that have indicated Goldwire might wait until the spring to sign, testing the waters with the hope of attracting offers from more well-known programs, Ross said he fully expects his point guard to sign when the early period opens in mid November.

And Charlotte holds the key.

UPDATES: Two other players USF had been involved with are apparently no longer key targets – Lake Wales forward Derrick Simmons (6-5/180) and Auburndale forward Alex Blair (6-8/220).

Lake Wales coach Jimmy Johnson said Simmons had been receiving early interest from the Bulls under the former coaching staff, but has not been involved with USF since McCullum’s arrival. Simmons’ primary suitors right now are James Madison and Tennessee-Chattanooga.

Blair is being recruited by USF, but Auburndale coach Eric Robinson said Friday that Blair hadn’t been in contact lately with the Bulls. Blair has been receiving other interest from mid-majors like Appalachian State, Illinois-Chicago and Mercer.