PORT ANGELES — Mitch Freeman hasn’t needed to venture far as he assembles his second recruiting class.
The Peninsula College men’s basketball coach has signed three recruits from western Washington.
Jeremiah Hobbs, a 6-foot-5 forward from Seattle Academy, Ryley Callaghan, a 6-1 point guard from South Kitsap and Kareem Babbs, a 6-3 guard/forward from Spanaway Lake in Tacoma, signed NWAACC letters of intent to play for the Pirates in 2014-15.
Hobbs was a two-time Emerald City First Team all-conference player who helped Seattle Academy to back-to-back state tournament appearances. He averaged nine points and nine rebounds per game as a senior.
“Jeremiah brings length, size, and athleticism that we need,” Freeman said.
“He has the ability to step away from the basket and score off the dribble, along with the ability to rebound outside his area.
“He comes from a winning program and knows what it takes to win.”
Callaghan is a two-time All-Narrows League First Team honoree who averaged 18 points per game, along with six assists.
He helped the Wolves win 18 games this season and fall one win shy of making the state tournament. His father, John Callaghan, has been the head coach at South Kitsap for 15 years.
“Ryley is a smart, tough, and competitive point guard who knows the game,” Freeman said.
“He is a coach’s kid, so he will have no trouble adjusting from high school to the college level. He knows what it takes. He will be an impact player immediately.”
Callaghan was named the Kitsap Sun’s player of the year this past season.
Babbs, the cousin of current Peninsula guard Geno Horsley, was a South Puget Sound all-conference honorable mention. He led his team with 15 points per game.
“Kareem is a great kid whose best basketball is in front of him,” Freeman said.
“He is a long, athletic scorer who will continue to get better has he develops. We are very excited to have Kareem join our Pirate basketball family.”