Kyle Lovern

Sports Editor

Former Tug Valley all-state basketball player Mason Pack has started his college career at West Virginia Wesleyan.

The 6-foot-9 Pack is playing for former WVU Mountaineer Patrick Beilein, who was named coach of the Bobcats back in the spring.

The true freshman is getting some playing time, but he hopes more minutes will come as he improves.

“I’m starting to get more and more playing time as the year goes along,” Pack said. “I’ve only been getting around 2-3 minutes as of right now.”

“I’m shooting 2-5 beyond the arc. I think I will start to get more PT now.”

Pack was mostly a low post player in high school. However, with Beilein’s coaching style, much like his dad John Beilein, the former West Virginia coach, at times Pack has stepped out on the wing.

“I’m moving up on the roster each practice by getting better each day,” the Kermit area native said. “College is such a huge transition, it’s like me playing little league and jumping up to playing against Tug Valley’s team.”

“College is so much faster and you’re playing against all the players that were the best players at their high school. So every game is like an all-star game,” Pack said.

But the former Panther, who helped lead Tug Valley to a Class AA state title last March, is determined to work hard and improve.

Of course there are his studies too. College and high school are much different when it comes to classes. Pack was studying for his first semester finals this week.

Pack is playing with former Logan High School star and WVU recruit Noah Cottrill who has returned to the hardwood to play at Wesleyan.

The Bobcats are currently 3-2 on the season. They were scheduled to play Concord College Saturday afternoon in WVIAC action.