Making His Move Adam Hieb Revives Basketball Career With Transfer To North Central

When Adam Hieb talks basketball, his eyes sparkle.

Which is, in part, why Hieb commutes daily from his home near 16th and Carnahan in the southwest part of the Spokane Valley to North Central High School, where he is the Indians’ third-leading scorer.

Hieb loves to play the game.

So much so that Hieb changed schools last year after 2-1/2 years at Ferris.

His enjoyment of school waned and his grades suffered, he said, as his playing time diminished. He sought and was granted a hardship transfer.

“It wasn’t looking too good for playing time at Ferris,” the candid Hieb said. “I knew I could play somewhere else.”

Since changing schools, Hieb has proved his point. He’s a happier person at NC and is averaging 13 points a game during his senior season.

At Ferris, he saw considerable playing time until his junior year.

“He had been a starter on our freshman team and a major contributor,” said Saxon Coach Wayne Gilman. “Things change from the freshman year on and other kids make strides.

“We just had a group of kids who in my opinion at that time were ahead of him,” Gilman said. “He’s still a very good player.”

Hieb attributed his lack of playing time to his own lack of effort during practice. He was too competitive, however, to sit on the bench. He quit the team.

“Our position was, while I would have liked him to stay, if he wanted to move we certainly were not going to block it,” said Gilman.

The change has worked out well for Hieb who is the league’s 12th leading scorer.

Hieb often plays basketball at Sta-Fit East in the Valley with members of local basketball teams. His best friend is D.J. Vick, whose brother played at University High, and who also left Ferris, for Lewis and Clark.

Despite his proximity to Valley high schools, his mother’s job at Holy Family Hospital made the move to North Central easier. He also had ties with former Indians basketball coach Don Van Lierop, a teacher at Ferris.

He was readily accepted by returning NC players. Since coach Jay Webber was new, he said it was probably easier for Heib to step into the North Central lineup.

“But it’s still a tough transition for a senior,” Webber said. “It takes a special person to make that adjustment.”

Hieb, Webber said, has provided quickness and athleticism.

“Coming from a program that’s so successful, he also brings with him a winning attitude,” Webber said.

Hieb offered his theory about why Ferris’ Gilman is so successful.

“It’s discipline,” he said. “He can take people who aren’t that good athletically and make them the best in the league.”

Still, Hieb is not sorry he switched schools.

“The thing is, if I was still at Ferris, I’d be on the bench,” he said. “Here I get to play and have fun.”

Having fun in basketball is what Adam Hieb is all about.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: Changed in the North Side Voice.