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Hughes homecoming includes Irish reunion
By Steve Wilaj
YOUNGSTOWN
No doubt, Mark Hughes always practices hard. It’s a reason why the 2015 Ursuline High graduate has started 15 of Wright State’s 30 games this season.
However, the freshman Raiders guard approached this week’s practices with a little more focus for one big reason.
“I had a good week of practice — I was definitely getting after it a little more because I knew we were coming [to Youngstown State],” Hughes said. “Just to get this start, it definitely means a lot to me.”
In his first game back in Youngstown, Hughes started and played 14 minutes for Wright State as the Raiders downed the Penguins, 87-81, on Thursday at Beeghly Center. The 6-foot-4, 180-pounder scored six points on 2 of 3 shooting.
“I was playing a little emotional in the beginning,” Hughes said. “But everyone just told me to focus on basketball and everything else will take care of itself and that’s what I did.”
Hughes played just three minutes in the first half after he picked up two early fouls. He knocked down his first shot (a 3-pointer) in the brief span.
He then started the second half and notched an and-1 layup early in the period, knocking down the free throw as well.
“I was feeling very good after that 3,” Hughes said. “I thought I was gonna get myself going, but I got those two fouls and I was just like ‘ahh man.’”
Hughes entered Thursday averaging 3.4 points in 27 games game on 39 percent shooting. Always a volume scorer at Ursuline, Wright State coach Billy Donlon said it’s the youngster’s all-around game that has allowed him to contribute immediately for WSU (18-12, 12-5 Horizon League).
“He plays with a great swagger,” Donlon said. “When you go and watch Ursuline and Coach Keith Gunther, they play with great confidence.
“And he has that, but also has a great IQ.
“He’s had a really good year for us. I’m really proud of Mark.”
Hughes’ season-high point total is 13 at Miami (Ohio) on Dec. 13. He has also notched 11 points against Murray State, and 10 points each against Charleston Southern and Green Bay.
“There was definitely an adjustment period for me,” Hughes said. “Just the physicality and speed of everyone else. I just know that being in the weight room is something I’ll have to work on and get stronger.”
It’s surely advice he has received from Gunther, who said he speaks with Hughes once or twice per week. In fact, the entire Ursuline team and coaching staff were in attendance at YSU.
“We talk about the highs and lows of basketball and to try to keep calm,” said Gunther, who also played college basketball. “It’s a process of learning and getting through.
“For the most part, his adversity was early on — learning how to compete at that level. Mentally, he was able to get through it and he’s had a great freshman year.”