Bo King's gamble paid off.

King, a former all-state basketball player from Charleston Catholic, has signed with Presbyterian College, a second-year NCAA Division I program in Clinton, S.C.

After leading the Irish to back-to-back Class A championships in 2006-07, the 6-foot guard was not heavily recruited by D-1 programs and elected to attend Fork Union Military Academy (Va.) for a year and play under coach Fletcher Arritt in an attempt to better his stock.

It worked.

"I am learning every day and have learned a great deal from Coach Arritt,'' King said in an e-mail. "The areas of improvement I concentrated on [were] my defense and ball-handling skills.

"I have learned over the years that without defense, you are worthless. Every coach would prefer a guard who can play lockdown defense over a guard who can score. A guard who can score points can be found in any gym. A guard who can sit down in a defensive stance, pressure the ball and keep their man in front of them is special. I want to be that special guard.''

King never had problems scoring at Catholic, finishing as school's No. 2 all-time scorer with 1,461 points in three seasons, trailing only four-year player Anthony McDavid. As a senior, King averaged 24.8 points and knocked down 72 3-point goals. He finished third in the state player of the year voting to Huntington's O.J. Mayo and Patrick Patterson.

"From a defensive standpoint, I think I have improved greatly,'' King said. "I am stronger, quicker and smarter. I am excited about next year. It will be a challenge, I am sure, but a challenge I have been anticipating for a long time.''

The Blue Hose (5-25 last season) are coached by Greg Nibert and scheduled to open next season against Duke. The only two seniors on Presbyterian's roster last season were guards.

The other schools King also considered attending were a mix between D-1 and D-2 programs - South Carolina-Upstate, Wright State, Drake, Central Connecticut, VMI, Quinnipiac, Marshall, West Virginia State and the University of Charleston.

"Compared to the other schools, Presbyterian College is the one that I felt at home with,'' King said. "It reminded me of Charleston Catholic in so many ways. From the size, to the people, to the facilities - just everything. ... There is a lot of talent on the team and I can see myself fitting right in.''

To contact assistant sports editor Rick Ryan, use e-mail of call 348-5175.

Bo King's gamble paid off.

King, a former all-state basketball player from Charleston Catholic, has signed with Presbyterian College, a second-year NCAA Division I program in Clinton, S.C.

After leading the Irish to back-to-back Class A championships in 2006-07, the 6-foot guard was not heavily recruited by D-1 programs and elected to attend Fork Union Military Academy (Va.) for a year and play under coach Fletcher Arritt in an attempt to better his stock.

It worked.

"I am learning every day and have learned a great deal from Coach Arritt,'' King said in an e-mail. "The areas of improvement I concentrated on [were] my defense and ball-handling skills.

"I have learned over the years that without defense, you are worthless. Every coach would prefer a guard who can play lockdown defense over a guard who can score. A guard who can score points can be found in any gym. A guard who can sit down in a defensive stance, pressure the ball and keep their man in front of them is special. I want to be that special guard.''

King never had problems scoring at Catholic, finishing as school's No. 2 all-time scorer with 1,461 points in three seasons, trailing only four-year player Anthony McDavid. As a senior, King averaged 24.8 points and knocked down 72 3-point goals. He finished third in the state player of the year voting to Huntington's O.J. Mayo and Patrick Patterson.

"From a defensive standpoint, I think I have improved greatly,'' King said. "I am stronger, quicker and smarter. I am excited about next year. It will be a challenge, I am sure, but a challenge I have been anticipating for a long time.''

The Blue Hose (5-25 last season) are coached by Greg Nibert and scheduled to open next season against Duke. The only two seniors on Presbyterian's roster last season were guards.

The other schools King also considered attending were a mix between D-1 and D-2 programs - South Carolina-Upstate, Wright State, Drake, Central Connecticut, VMI, Quinnipiac, Marshall, West Virginia State and the University of Charleston.

"Compared to the other schools, Presbyterian College is the one that I felt at home with,'' King said. "It reminded me of Charleston Catholic in so many ways. From the size, to the people, to the facilities - just everything. ... There is a lot of talent on the team and I can see myself fitting right in.''

To contact assistant sports editor Rick Ryan, use e-mail of call 348-5175.