Phones ringing off the hook for Gillespie

Statesville history teacher Todd Jones got a phone call during his planning period Monday morning. A University of Miami women’s basketball coach was on the other line and wanted to speak to the Greyhounds girls basketball coach.


We would like to have Keyrra Gillespie come to Miami, Jones said the coach told him.

Small piece of advice, Hurricanes: Take a number and get in line.

Clemson, Florida and Charlotte have already offered Gillespie scholarships. Duke, Wake Forest and Kansas are a few other big names in the recruiting mix.

But interest in the junior point guard swelled in a short period of time, and it’s no coincidence the spike comes on the heels of Gillespie’s first team All-State selection March 27. College coaches around the country have been so advised.

Jones said he received 90 phone calls over the weekend from programs like California, Creighton and UCLA.

Even LSU — you know, the team that’s in the Final Four for the fifth straight year.

"I had to keep recharging my phone. It rang all weekend," Jones said. "It was crazy."

Pretty soon, those coaches can contact the three-time R&L county player of the year, and Jones brought that to Gillespie's attention.

"I said, 'You have your phone on ... I want you to answer every phone call,' "Jones said. " 'And you better be able to come back and tell me who called and everything else. I don’t care if it’s 100 of them, write down names. You need to come up with some questions you’re going to ask them, and I’ll help you with the questions if you want.’ She knows it’s coming."

Absolutely. The buzz comes with the territory.