[September 07, 2011] Zangari picks East Carolina Tweet Sep 07, 2011 (The Sentinel - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- There are certain situations that can feel just right. That's exactly how Red Land senior basketball star Mike Zangari felt when he stepped onto the campus of East Carolina University. And by the time the 6-foot-9 forward shook hands with ECU head coach Jeff Lebo, a Carlisle legend, it was all but official. The former Sentinel Co-Player of the Year had more than 20 offers on the table, and after narrowing his choices down to Ball State, Old Dominion, George Washington and ECU, he chose to take a full ride from the Division I Pirates. Zangari will attend ECU with an undeclared major, although he may "do something with communications and be on ESPN someday." "It's been a fun process, but I kind of wanted to get it over with," Zangari said. "Coach Lebo has the personality I want in a coach; he's just a great guy. He wasn't showing off or anything. He was just a normal, chill guy, and that's what I really like about him." "I felt comfortable at East Carolina." Zangari describes ECU as a school and program on the rise. The big fellow, who can hurt the opposition on the inside with his power and rebounding or on the outside with his long-range shooting touch, is excited at the thought of working with his future teammates when the time comes. "I'm coming in at the right time," he said. Before that time comes, however, Zangari has some business to settle on the high school hardwood. He likely will solidify himself as Red Land's all-time leading scorer in boys basketball. According to Patriot head coach Scott Slayton, Zangari comes into this season with 1,252 career points. He is chasing the record of 1,426 points held by Jermaine Marshall, currently a player in the Penn State basketball program. "The fact that he wanted to put this (college recruiting) thing to a close shows how significant his legacy at Red Land is for him," Slayton said. "His focus is completely on the season and the goals we've set for each other." Zangari said his goal for this season is not to become the school's all-time scoring leader; he'd rather be the school's most impactful player. "Hopefully I'll have the scoring record, that would be cool, but I want to do more than individual records," Zangari said. "I want to be remembered as most significant player at Red Land. I want to be involved in (Red Land's) first district title." Zangari has already established himself as a top-tier high school basketball player, but coach Slayton believes Zangari can take his game to a whole new level under the tutelage of Lebo. "I think Mike will get an opportunity to make an impact there," Slayton said. "I think there's a complete dimension to him that's been untapped at this point. "That's exciting." ___ (c)2011 The Sentinel (Carlisle, Pa.) Visit The Sentinel (Carlisle, Pa.) at www.cumberlink.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]