By Jim Lockwood
Staff Writer

His senior year at Manchester Central High School has yet to begin, but Hooksett basketball standout Tyler Roche already knows where he'll be playing college hoops.

Verbally committing to attend Boston College on scholarship, the 6-foot-7 Roche will be preparing for his first season with the Eagles at this time next year.

Manchester Central basketball standout and Hooksett resident Tyler Roche verbally committed to attend Boston College for the 2006-07 academic year. But first, the Little Green senior has his sights set on a second straight Class L hoops title. (Jim Lockwood Photo)

According to Roche, making the early decision was gratifying. But it also left him with a list of goals he still hopes to achieve in high school.

"When I made the decision, it took a lot off, pressure-wise," said Roche, who led Central to a Class L crown last season. "I don't have to think about where I am going to go to college. Now I can play my game and help my team win another championship next year."

Roche made his decision to attend BC although he might've still received offers from other Division I programs like North Carolina State, Georgetown, Providence and perhaps the University of New Hampshire.

The local star said he was impressed with the Eagles. coaching staff and liked that BC is roughly a one-hour drive from home. That way, Roche's parents can file into Conte Forum for the team's home games.

Plus, Roche added he saw himself as a nice fit in the Eagles. system.

The leader of Central's Little Green was discovered by the BC staff at an AAU national tournament a few months ago. He'll be one of seven players who's 6-foot-7 or taller on the 2006-07 Eagles roster and should complement the team's current talent.

Roche said the Eagles have solid players, but need someone who could provide additional height and hit the three-pointer. It's Roche's goal to bring that combination of height, shooting and passing ability to head coach Al Skinner's squad.

Roche added he anticipates being used as a shooting guard or small forward when he arrives for the 2006-07 season.

In three years of playing high school hoops, Roche already owns several skills that could make him successful in college basketball's most powerful league - the Atlantic Coast Conference - which boasts national powers Duke and defending champion North Carolina.

The young star's strengths are his shooting and passing abilities, he said. He plans to focus on improving his defense, rebounding, agility and speed.

That list hasn't allowed this state champion to take the summer off, as he trains for his senior year.

During the break, Roche has worked with a personal trainer to improve his quickness and agility, lifting weights to strengthen all major muscles of the body, while using a Vertimax to improve his jumping ability.

The Vertimax is a machine that wraps around a person's waist and increases tension when that person attempts to jump, strengthening muscles to help the athlete leap higher.

Roche's regimen also included frequenting local tracks to work on long-distance running and sprinting drills. He even used his time at the track to work on defensive slide drills normally practiced on the basketball court.

This coming season, Roche made a commitment to becoming a better defender and stronger rebounder.

He also has his sights set on more hardware in the form of another state championship.

There's no question this future Eagle is extremely driven.

"I know I have to get so much better to play with those guys," Roche said of his future college teammates and opponents. "I have to get better than I would ever be. That just makes me work harder."