Geoff Evans
Geoff Evans is one of the top all-time basketball players at Hickory High School before continuing his scoring prowess at the University of Indiana (PA).
At Hickory, he started 24 games as a freshman and earned 3rd-team honorable mention All-Mercer County Big School. He was a member of the District 10 AAA Championship team that lost to Beaver Falls, 55-53 in the Western Finals.
As a sophomore he was a member of the then winningest Hornets squad (26-5), averaging 17 points and 8 rebounds per game, leading the team in almost every offensive category. One game he drilled 7 three-pointers. He scored a record 55 points combined over two games in the Farrell Dresch-McCluskey Tournament. He was first-team All-County AAA and third-team All-State.
His junior year as team captain, he averaged 22.4 points and 9 boards per game and led Mercer County in scoring. He made 8 treys twice and 7 two other times. He was named MVP AAA in the county and 2nd-team All-State. He was a member of the Top 100 Class of 1997 by USA Today.
As a senior, Geoff was again team captain and led the county in scoring while placing in the top 10 in the state. He averaged 25 points and 11 boards per game, including 43 points against Slippery Rock while notching a triple double (30 points, 25 rebounds, 12 assists) against Erie Strong Vincent. One game he hit a record 9 treys. He again was county conference MVP and earned 2nd-team All-State Big School. He was invited to play in the Capital Classic, held for the top 100 players in the country.
He finished his career with a school record 1,926 points and Mercer County mark for most three-pointers in a season. He won the prestigious Mike Erme Award as Male Athlete of the Year.
He earned a full basketball scholarship at Boston University and played every game as a freshman, named team freshman of the year.
Geoff transferred to the University of Indiana (PA) and in his career established some all-time school marks, including treys in a single game (8) and most steals (8). He was fifth in a single season three-pointers (187) and percentage (47.3) in 2000-01 season. He also had several top-five career records.
Other college laurels: a member of the IUP Elite 8 team in 2000, losing to Kentucky Wesley in the national title game in Division 2; All-tournament All-Region First Team 2001; MVP at McGregor Classic; 3rd-team all-PSAC as a junior, 3rd as a senior.
He went on to play with the Mahoning Valley Wildcats of the ABA and played overseas in Venezuela. He coached Little League baseball and took 3 All-Star teams to the state championships, winning district and region crowns.