After carrying much of the scoring load for Higbee basketball over the past two seasons, William Gibson is moving on to the next challenge. Gibson signed with William Woods University on Tuesday, May 5.

Gibson said that he’s excited to continue his athletic and academic career just one hour away in Fulton.

“The coaching staff, talking to them throughout the year, I really liked what they have going on,” Gibson said. “They definitely know what they’re doing. It just seemed like a fun place to play.”

William Woods went 14-15 in the first season under head coach Charles Belt. The Owls were 9-5 at home, including a 66-57 win over No. 19 Central Baptist in February.

“They like to get the ball into the post first,” Gibson said about the Owls. “Their style of play is a little different from what we played at the high school level obviously. I think I should fit in well, just not being a selfish player and moving the ball.”

Gibson scored 966 of his 1268 career points over his final two varsity seasons, which accounted for over 44 percent of the team’s total offense. Gibson’s scoring, assists, steals and field goal percentage all went up during his senior season as the Tigers followed a four-win season with an 11-14 campaign.

“I think first and foremost the thing that stood out to me was Will’s improvement and growth throughout his senior season,” said his new head coach, Charles Belt.

“From when he came to visit and play with our guys in August or September to completing the year averaging just under 24 points per game shows you as a coach that he has a willingness to work hard, and the focus and drive to improve his craft. For me that’s huge as a coach who doesn’t recruit two-year transfers and instead builds through the growth of four-year guys.

“Secondly, I believe Will is an excellent teammate and a guy that’s willing to do anything he can control to help the team win. Lastly, Will always pegged me a player who had more questions than answers, which tells me his thirst to grow his IQ is there as well.”

It’s a big step up in competition from the CCAA and Class 1 basketball to the NAIA and the American Midwest Conference. Gibson has the potential to contribute offensively, but it will be his defensive improvement that will earn him that chance.

“For any freshman it’s hard to come in and be ready to compete at the college level especially in the AMC where it’s a very senior-heavy league with a lot of older players,” Belt explained.

“Will and I discussed first and foremost his need to add strength and quickness to be able to handle defensive assignments against guards at this level. But ultimately we know we needed to address our perimeter shooting and Will has shown he has the ability to do that with range. I’m excited to see him grow within our program.”