Timmy Kochendoerfer loves to play the game of basketball. Asbury College coach Will Shouse loves the game of basketball that Kochendoerfer plays.

The love of basketball brought the two together as the Ironton Fighting Tigers’ 6-foot-3 senior guard signed a letter-of-intent to play for the Eagles.

“I went to check (Kochendoerfer) out at the Blue Chip camp in Kentucky and I came to the Ironton Classic and I really loved him and I loved his game,” said Shouse.

“He’s a shooter and a scorer and he rebounds well for a guard. With the teams we play he can create match-up problems. He can do a lot of things. That’s what makes him so dangerous.”

Kochendoerfer talked with Shawnee State, Rio Grande, Kentucky Christian and Marietta before settling on Asbury.

“I’m excited,” said Kochendoerfer. “I talked to (Shouse) before the season. I like their coaches and program and I like their style of play.”

Asbury was 15-17 last season and started three freshmen after posting a 23-win season the previous year.

“I just wanted to go to a Christian college. My family is real Christian-oriented,” said Kochendoerfer. “(Shouse) said I’m in the mix. I have to earn my spot. I don’t expect to walk right in and take a position. They need a shooter-scorer and rebounder, so I think I can be right in the mix.”

Kochendoerfer racked up a basket full of honors this past season.

He was voted first team All-SEOAL as well as the Player of the Year. The District 13 Coaches Association selected him first team as well as Player of the Year in Division III and he was the North/South All-Star Game representative.

In the District 13 All-Star Game, Kochendoerfer was selected the game’s Most Valuable Player.

The Associated Press named Kochendoerfer first team all-district in Div. III and made him their Player of the Year. He was named second team All-Ohio as Ironton posted a 21-4 record, won the SEOAL championship and reached the regional finals during their tournament run.

Ironton coach Mark LaFon said hard work was the difference between last season and Kochendoerfer’s honor-filled season.

“He worked hard at the end of last season until this season and it showed. He was in the weight room every day,” said LaFon.

“Timmy was fun to coach. He was injury-free and that was a factor. He was offensive-minded, but never was there a time he didn’t do whatever we asked of him. He was always a team player.”

Kochendoerfer plans to major in education.