Published: January 08, 2006 10:48 pm         

Humphrey making presence known

HUNTINGTON — Ron Jirsa says Markel Humphrey does not play like a freshman. In some ways, Humphrey doesn’t sound like a freshman either.

The Ellenwood, Ga., native has made an immediate impact for Marshall. In making his fifth start of the season Saturday against No. 20 George Washington, Humphrey posted his second double-double with a career-high 15 points and 10 rebounds.

He had 10 points and a career-best 11 rebounds in the Thundering Herd’s 77-74 overtime win over Kennesaw State.

Humphrey figured prominently in the Herd’s near upset of the Colonials.

His buzzer-beating three-pointer gave Marshall a 33-32 halftime lead.

The Herd trailed George Washington just once in regulation, but faltered in the end and eventually fell, 79-73 in overtime.

But Humphrey, if he hadn’t already done so, made his presence known. After the game, he spoke with confidence that belies his true freshman status.

“I’m starting to get used to (the game),” he said. “I’m on the court more. Once I get into the game, I don’t think anybody can stop me, if you ask me.”

Jirsa certainly has taken notice of the 6-foot-5, 215-pound forward.

“We had a couple of guys who have been there before, like Mark Patton, who were not afraid to go through it and go to the basket. Markel Humphrey did the same,” Jirsa said.

“As a starter, he’s probably one of our steadiest players. He’s got more poise than most of the guys. Not to compare them, but he’s just playing with a high level of poise and he does not look like a freshman, and that’s a good sign.

“He made some easy basketball plays. I just thought he ran out of gas in the overtime.”

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Notes: Before the game, a moment of silence was observed for the 12 coal miners who died in the explosion at the Sago mine in Tallmansville ... Ed Prelas, a Richwood native, was presented with an “M” Club Blanket during a timeout. Prelas is a former head wrestling coach and assistant football coach at Marshall ... The attendance of 4,415 was a season-high for the Cam Henderson Center.

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gfauber@register-herald.com