Note: Tech lists Debnam as a senior even though this is just his third season playing with the basketball team.  Since he’s listed as a senior, I included him on this since there is always the chance he won’t return, especially since he’s a walk-on.  I don’t have any more info than that but didn’t want to leave him off in case this is it for Paul.

They may not be the greatest players that have ever come through Blacksburg but these two rural Virginia seniors they are two of the greatest guys the Hokie program has ever had.  Have ever heard one bad thing about the character of either guy?  No.  They are the kind of guys you root for, and Wednesday night we’ll root for them for the final time (hopefully – that means Tech isn’t in the NIT) in the Cassell.  Be sure to come on out and pack the Cassell to honor these two guys and root on the Hokies as they take on nc state Wednesday at 7 on Senior Night in a must win for VT.

Let’s take a look back at the careers of Witcher and Debnam.

LEWIS WITCHER:

Lewwwwwwwwwwwww!  I’m repeating the chant the fans of the Cassell scream every time Mr. Witcher makes a play in a game.  While that hasn’t happened as much as people perhaps hoped when he arrived at Tech, he’s never pouted about a lack of playing time or diminished role.  Lewis has simply entered the game whenever called upon and given his all, and no doubt will for the first four-plus minutes of the nc state game until he’s taken out at the first media timeout.

Lewis came to Virginia Tech with a lot of promise and fanfare.  He was a four-star and Top 100 recruit according to Rivals.com in the Class of 2006 and a three-star recruit by Scout.com after graduating from Franklin County High School, an area usually known more for its moonshine than basketball.

His freshman year Witcher started 20 games for that Hokie team that went to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.  Lewis showed promise, grabbing 8 rebounds twice that year, blocking 5 shots against iowa in his first career start, and scoring 10 points against odu.  Unfortunately, all but that point total remains as his career high.

Witcher started 13 more games his sophomore year, including nine of the final 10.  Again, it seemed like he was poised to take a step forward at the end of the year, especially with Deron Washington leaving.  Lewis had a career high 11 points against unc-asheville.   He shot 52% from the floor on the season, knowing his role and taking smart shots near the hoop.  He also grabbed 41 offensive rebounds.

Lewis’s junior year saw a dramatic drop-off in his playing time.  VT decided to go with Allen and Diakite most of the time with Thompson and Witcher coming off the bench in that order.  He went from averaging 12 or so minutes per game his first two years to under 10.  Lew never reached double digits in a game this season but had 5 boards in his only start of the season against duke and had a key 6 points in the win at home against uva.  Witcher shot 55% from the field.  Again, what a great bench player to have – a guy who knows his role and takes good shots.

This season Witcher has become an after-thought for Seth Greenberg off the bench.  Lew has played in 24 of the 28 games to date but is averaging just 7 minutes per game.  He hasn’t scored more than 4 in a game or grabbed more than 3 rebounds.  In conference play he has just 2 total points (on free throws) and 5 total rebounds in 51 minutes of action.  That said, Wednesday night will be a great chance for him to go out on a high note.

Greatest Game: This is easy because it sticks out in my memory – his performance off the bench against uva back in 2008 during his sophomore year.  In that game Lewis came off the bench but scored 10 points and grabbed 4 clutch offensive rebounds in just 15 minutes.  He also hit all 4 of his free throw attempts, amazing for a 50% career free throw shooter.  Lew’s biggest play came with three minutes left.  With Tech down three to uva, Deron Washington missed a free throw but Witcher grabbed the offensive rebound and later in the possession dunked the ball home to cut the deficit to one.  The Hokies went on to win in overtime by a 72-65 score.

PAUL DEBNAM:

Paul Debnam is the heart-and-soul of this Hokie team.  He is the Energizer bunny that has unlimited energy.  He is the fan favorite the crowd chants to let in at the end of a game.  PD is the cheerleader that roots on his teammates no matter what.  He is the guy at practice that keeps the guys loose and motivated.  And he’s the guy that worked out a routine with each starter as they run through the other players during introductions.  I mean, who is going to lead that next year?  Ben Boggs?  I don’t think so.  So while he may not be missed much on the court next year, his never ending adrenaline and enthusiasm will be sorely missed.

Debnam came to VT from Farmville, VA as a walk-on and has remained a walk-on.  That’s dedication, going through the rigors of college basketball for no scholarship money.

Paul has played each of the last three seasons for the Hokies.  While he has seen just 31 minutes of playing action in his career, he may go down as one of Tech’s most prolific shooters if you throw out number of attempts as a criteria.  Debnam has hit 64% of his 14 career field goal attempts and is 2/2 from three-point range in his career, both coming this season.  His career FG% is actually higher than his FT% – 64% to 63%.  But all that will be on the line on Wednesday when he starts, likely in place of Dorenzo Hudson.  While he may not get to play until the first media timeout, he should get some time out there.  And maybe Seth will remember the show Marcus Travis put on two years ago when he made a bucket and dished out 3 assists in a rare appearance.

Greatest Game:  Oh, man, you have to go with nc central back in January of this year.  In the final two and a half minutes of that blowout, knocking down a three and then slamming home a one-handed dunk from the left baseline.  After the dunk, Debnam floated up the court, popping his collar with a huge smile on his face and waving to the crowd (you can see the highlight on Hokiesports.com).  And you know the bench was going nuts.  They know how well Paul has always supported them and they returned the favor.  While he probably would have been flagged for excessive celebration in football, it was awesome to see – a guy who never gets to play getting the chance to do good and enjoy the crowd noise.

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