The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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basketball recruiting Austin Hatch's Return Inspires Teammates H By Chris Balas e may or may not play at the next level, but Michigan signee Austin Hatch (6-6, Rivals.com three-star prospect in the 2014 class) inspired many when he returned to the court Jan. 8 for the first time in two years. The former Fort Wayne (Ind.) Canterbury standout, still recovering from head trauma following a plane crash that killed his father and stepmother, hit a triple and brought the house down in Pasadena (Calif.) Loyola's 87-59 win over Sherman Oaks (Calif.) Notre Dame. The reaction — his coach and teammates rushed the court — resulted in a technical foul, but few cared. "He hit a three and our bench erupted," Loyola coach Jamal Adams told the Los Angeles Times. "It was unbelievable what that kid has gone through and how hard he's worked. That kid has taught me you can come back from anything, that nothing is impossible. It was a spiritual moment. "It was the best technical foul I've ever been a part of." Hatch moved to California to be with family and signed his national letter of intent with U-M this fall. He plans to join the team next season, and head coach John Beilein has said there will be a spot for him whether he can play again or not. "As I said after the game, my three was pretty cool, but more importantly, Hatch returned to the court for the first time in two years and drained a three-pointer that brought the house down in Pasadena (Calif.) Loyola's 87-59 win over Sherman Oaks (Calif.) Notre Dame Jan. 8. photo courtesy rivals.com we're now 14-0," Hatch tweeted, adding, "Tonight reaffirmed the truth of Romans 8:28. 'And we know that all things work together for good for those who love Him' … #faith." Michigan Signees Continue To Play Well Michigan class of 2014 signee Ricky Doyle (6-9, Rivals.com three-star prospect) of Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot continues to put up big numbers. Doyle was averaging 24.9 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game, and had eclipsed the 30-point mark five times as of Jan. 17. His high, a 41-point outburst on 16of-17 shooting from the floor, came in a 75-50 win over LaBelle Dec. 10. Doyle had a very productive stretch for the 10-7 Vikings in January. He put up 33 points in a 64-43 victory over Bonnabel Jan. 4; had 28 points and 12 boards in a 69-48 win over Gateway Charter Jan. 7; recorded 31 points and 10 rebounds