Derrick Webb, Staff Writer
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — If you need to find Logan Swackhammer, he’s probably on a Florida beach soaking up the sun.
After a ridiculously successful four-year run with Unioto’s basketball program — one that included a 56-0 record in the SVC, two district titles, 1,081 points, 415 assists and 256 steals — Swackhammer is now a Flagler Saint … and he’s enjoying every moment of his college career.
“College has been everything I expected and more,” Swackhammer said. “It’s basketball twenty-four-seven, class and meeting a lot of new people. We are always in the gym working on our craft, but when we do get a little time off, it’s awesome meeting new people.”
The Saints are currently 7-14 with a 4-11 record inside the Peach Belt Conference. While Flagler has had its struggles, Swackhammer says his team doesn’t lack effort.
“Our team is full of fighters. We have been in some dogfights and have came out on the wrong end of a lot of them,” he said. “But we never give up and that, to me, speaks volumes. It says a lot about the group of guys that are in the locker room. We can shoot the rock, too. Our main weakness right now is closing out games but we have improved on that here recently.”
Individually, Swackhammer is receiving all the playing time he ever imagined as a freshman.
Out of the Saints’ 21 games, Swackhammer has started all 21. He’s played a total of 544 minutes third-most on the entire team and leads the team in assists with 62.
But, as expected with any new face to an college basketball roster, Swackhammer admits it took some time for him to adjust to the collegiate level.
“What I’m enjoying most about basketball season is the games. Whether it’s an away or home game, the butterflies never go away and that is one of my favorite feelings in the world,” Swackhammer said. “I’ve been extremely blessed to be in the situation I’m in. I had a rough start, personally, just adjusting to the game and running the team. But I have adapted well thanks to my coaches and teammates pushing me and expecting more out of me everyday.”
And he’s improving daily.
CREDIT: Kristen Overton/Flagler Athletics
Over Flagler’s last three games, Swackhammer has scored 24 points and shot 4-of-9 from deep, 4-of-4 from the charity stripe and 7-of-18 from the field.
His stock is on the rise.
“The biggest difference between high school and college for me are the games are played at such a higher level, consistently, that you constantly have to think about what it going on. That’s especially being the point guard,” he said.
Even while he’s laser-focused on getting better for himself and his teammates, Swackhammer also tries to keep up with his alma mater and former coach Matt Hoops.
Without Swackhammer’s senior class leading the way, the Shermans have went through trying times this season. Unioto is 9-12 overall with a 5-8 mark in SVC action. To find the last time the Shermans lost eight games in league play, you’d have to look back to the 2008-2009 season.
But that’s OK. Swackhammer says Unioto is right where it needs to be, especially with Hoops leading the way.
“I have kept up with the U and have spoken with some of the players,” he said. “They know that I am proud of them for going hard every game. They were put in a tough spot coming into the year, but they’ve handled it well. Coach Hoops has them right where they need to be.”
While he hasn’t gotten the chance to visit home much, a piece of home has frequently come to visit him. Swackhammer says his family comes to most of his games.
“Being in Florida, I don’t get to see anyone from home much except my family,” he said. “If you know my family, you know that they’re my number one fans and support me the most. So they travel down for most of the games and a little bit of sunshine. I’m very thankful for them.”
With a bright future ahead, Logan Swackhammer continues to represent his community in a classy fashion, some 800 miles away. He’s enjoying the chance to compete at the next level and, of course, the chance to soak up that sunshine.
“My favorite part about being here is getting the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself,” Swackhammer said. “I have been blessed to be on the team I am with the greatest coaches and teammates.”