Hog commit Hill may be two-sport star at UA

Little Rock Christian receiver Justice Hill (5) breaks a tackle attempt by Pulaski Academy's Luke Bratcher during a game Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, in Little Rock.
Little Rock Christian receiver Justice Hill (5) breaks a tackle attempt by Pulaski Academy's Luke Bratcher during a game Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, in Little Rock.

It will be interesting to see if Little Rock Christian two-sport standout and Arkansas 2019 basketball commit Justice Hill will play just for hoops coach Mike Anderson or if he also takes the field for new Razorback football coach Chad Morris.

Hill (5-10, 172) has led his Warriors to a 5-0 mark on the basketball court so far this season after making a return to the football field after a year off. Hill helped Little Rock Christian to a 9-3 record on the gridiron.

His play resulted in an invitation earlier this week to the U.S. Army All-American Combine on Jan. 2-4 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

"God continues to bless me with different opportunities and I am thankful and it's humbling that they see me worthy of an invite considering it's not my main sport," Hill said.

Hill last played football in ninth grade as a quarterback, when he passed for 1.267 yards and 19 touchdowns to go with 900 rushing yards and 13 scores on the ground.

He was a standout this season for Little Rock Christian while playing quarterback, wide receiver, cornerback and free safety.

"It went good and I really enjoyed creating the bond with the boys out there," Hill said. "We weren't as successful as we wanted to be at the end of the season, but it was a good season and I look forward to getting back out there next season.

"Really I just have a love for the sport, just like I do basketball. It was great knowing that I could help the team get into the playoffs and I just love competing every night."

First-year Little Rock Christian head football coach Eric Cohu was impressed with Hill.

"Justice Hill is a phenomenal athlete," Cohu told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette early in the season. "I know he's got a great basketball resume, but his football resume is going to be building as we go. He can play corner. He can play safety. He can play wide receiver. He can play quarterback.

"He's just a really great athlete. I've coached a lot of future SEC football players, and he can definitely play on the next level. He did make some big plays."

Hill, whose dad, Fitz, was a former Razorback football assistant for 12 years and head coach at San Jose State from 2001-04, has begun to receive interest from several football programs.

"There have been a lot of high major schools that have reached out to me for football," Hill said. "With my dad being in the position he is in, it's possible for me to play multiple sports in college.

"Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss have shown interest, and I have an offer from Howard."

On the court, Hill has averaged 21 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists as the Warriors remained unbeaten with a pair of wins over Memphis teams at last weekend's Battle of the Border in Little Rock.

He and UALR signee Kalin Bennett (6-10, 255) are two of the reasons Little Rock Christian is viewed as a state title threat.

"We have had a successful season so far," Hill said. "I think we have a good chance of going all the way this year. I am looking forward to it."

Hill had 29 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in a win over Memphis Westwood on Friday.

"The season is going great," Hill said. "I think it's our year. We started out 5-0 beating two good Memphis teams and I think we're going to have pretty good confidence going into conference play."

After taking some summer classes, Hill is expected to be a mid-term graduate next year.

"I am still planning on being up there in January of 2019," Hill said. "I can't wait."

Sports on 12/07/2017

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