EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Antwonne Holmes turned into a major force on the basketball court over his four-year high school career at Chapin. Joe Golding and UTEP took notice.
Holmes will be a preferred walk-on for the Miners as a freshman in 2022-23. Felix Chavez of the El Paso Times was the first to report the news. A hard-nosed, athletic 6’3 guard with a defensive-minded approach, Holmes will fit Golding’s style.
On Monday night at Bethel Church in northeast El Paso, Holmes signed a preferred walk-on agreement with UTEP, making his move to the Miners official.
“It came together a couple months ago. (Chapin coach Rodney Lewis) contacted the UTEP coach (Golding) and he got the film from some of my games this season. UTEP liked what they saw. I went up there and talked to them about the program and what I could do to better the program,” said Holmes. “The opportunity came about, so I signed the paper.”
Being a preferred walk-on means Holmes won’t be on scholarship at UTEP right away. However, he’ll have an important role on the roster, likely serving on the scout team as a freshman, helping the Miners’ frontline guards prepare for opponents on a daily basis. With time, Holmes could find his way into some more substantial playing time.
Holmes averaged nearly 14 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals per game as a senior at Chapin in 2021-22. Along with Arizona commit KJ Lewis and Sul Ross State signee Manny Flores, Holmes led the Huskies to the Class 5A Sweet 16 in 2021 and 2022.
“I got different offers from different places and wasn’t sure where to go, but I was looking outside, but I didn’t realize I could stay home and play for UTEP. Now that that opportunity came about, I’m excited,” said Holmes.
Elsewhere on the El Paso hardwood last Thursday, Americas head coach Mike Brooks served as one of the head coaches for the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) All-Star Game in San Antonio. It’s the first time in Brooks’ career that he’s gotten to coach in the game.
Brooks wasn’t alone, either. Americas star point guard Jordan Hernandez played in the game and was on Brooks’ team, being coached by his high school coach one more time. The Trail Blazers duo won the game 129-120, a fitting end to their time as coach and player together.
Brooks and Hernandez led Americas to back-to-back Class 6A Sweet 16 appearances in 2021 and 2022. Hernandez will go play in college at Cochise Junior College in Arizona next season.
