Search for right fit leads QHS all-stater Talton to JWCC to continue basketball career

QUINCY — Jeremiah Talton wanted to play for a college basketball coach he could build a relationship with beyond the court and a program that would help his game mature.

He didn’t have to leave town to find the right combination.

The Quincy High School all-state swingman signed his national letter of intent with John Wood Community College on Wednesday morning and made his decision known publicly via social media later in the day. 

It ends a two-week whirlwind in which he de-committed from the University of New Orleans, received a release from his letter of intent there and dealt with pitches from schools wanting to add him to their roster two months before his freshman year of college will begin. 

“I’m ready to settle down and start focusing on and working on my game,” Talton said. “That’s a real stress reliever.”

The 6-foot-6 Talton, who led the Blue Devils to a Western Big 6 Conference championship along with regional and sectional titles last winter, made it clear the school he chose as his landing spot needed to be the right fit

“(JWCC coach Brad Hoyt) was one of the coaches I had a good relationship with,” Talton said. “I went to watch John Wood play last year. I’ve watched the offense and thought I’d fit in well with getting shots up.”

JWCC’s ability to develop players into NJCAA Division II All-Americans — seven Trail Blazers in the last nine seasons have earned that distinction — as well as send players to four-year schools had an impact on Talton’s decision.

“(Hoyt) talked about all the dudes who came in there, put on weight, got stronger, and really worked with him to get better,” Talton said. “He broke down things I’ve going to have to work to play at Division I, if that’s where I’m going to go. I’m going to have to work harder.”

It’s an opportunity both Talton and the JWCC coaching staff embrace.

“I think we have a unique situation for him to hit reset and develop,” Hoyt said. “We’re going to work really hard for him to get year one of his college basketball career started.”

Talton finished last season averaging 18.5 points for the Blue Devils and scored 630 points, which ranks 12th in program history in single-season scoring. He finished his career with 1,487 points, which ranks eighth in program history and makes him one of 22 QHS players all-time to score at least 1,000 career points.

Talton also set single-season and career 3-point records, making 104 treys this season and finishing his career with 229 3-pointers made.

In the process, he led the Blue Devils to a 28-6 record and was named the WB6 MVP.

With JWCC having graduated shooters such as Brandon Kracht, who signed with Truman State University, Talton fills an immediate need to help stretch defenses.

“In a lot of ways, all the variables lined up,” Hoyt said. “I’ve known him and his family and feel like we’ve created a good relationship. Because of the flexibility we have with this year’s roster and the fact he fits a need on the floor, it didn’t take long for either of us to see we might be able to help each other out a little bit.”

Talton adds to JWCC’s haul of area talent, joining Liberty’s Logan Robbins and Breiton Klingele and Monroe City’s Joshua and Josiah Talton, who are Jeremiah’s cousins.

“I know a lot of people will say he’s following Josh and Josiah and he wants to play with the twins, but that really isn’t the reason,” Talton said. “Sure, I get to play with them, but I felt John Wood was going to be a good place for me. If I’m there for a year or two years, it’s a place for me to develop my game. It’s a great place for me.”

The added bonus is finally getting to suit up with his cousins.

“It’s kind of crazy how it all worked out,” Talton said. “It’s been a dream to play with each other. We were just talking about it the other day. It wasn’t because of them. It’s just how it all worked out.”

Coming off an 18-14 season in which they reached the Region 24 title game, the Trail Blazers continue to build next season’s roster.

“It’s another piece to the puzzle,” Hoyt said. “We still have three or four spots to fill before it is all said and done in the fall. Obviously, we’re being pretty particular, picky and patient. This is a good example of being patient.”