Former Daviess County High School basketball standout Stewart Currie is one of two players who were recently added to the 2019-20 Kentucky Wesleyan College roster. Currie and Wyatt Battaile, a University of Louisville transfer, will join the Panthers next season.
Currie is a 6’7” forward coming home to Owensboro and returning to basketball after a baseball career that started at the University of Louisville in 2017. While at Daviess County, Currie averaged 23.6 points and 13.3 rebounds per game. He scored 1,438 points in his prep career, which stands as the fourth-most in school history.
“Stu is a long, physical basketball player,” said Wesleyan head coach Drew Cooper. “He only knows one pace to play and that is as hard as he can go. He has had a significant layoff (from basketball), but I am confident that with his work ethic and athletic ability, he will be polished and ready to compete. He plays with an energy that is effective when you talk about affecting the interior. We are happy to have another local product that fully respects and embraces the unique history here.”
The Academic All-State Honorable Mention finished his career as Daviess County’s second all-time shot blocker (131) while also establishing the single-season record for rebounds (358) and made free throws (139).
While playing baseball at Louisville, Currie made three relief appearances in 2018. His baseball career eventually ended with a pair of arm injuries.
Currie said he looks forward to getting back on the court in his hometown.
“I picked Kentucky Wesleyan because it’s home,” Currie said. “My family is here, and my support system. Basketball has always been my passion and I am glad the coaching staff here was willing to take a risk on me. I am glad to be back doing what I love in the town I love.”
Currie is the son of Rodney Currie and Mary Elliott. He plans to study Accounting.
Battaile comes to Wesleyan after one season with the Cardinals, where he saw action in seven games over the course of his freshman year. The 6’4” shooting guard went to Pikeville High School and averaged 24.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists his senior season. Pikeville went 25-10 that season, earning their second consecutive trip to the Kentucky Sweet 16.
“We recruited Wyatt out of high school and we are happy we won out on him this time around,” Cooper said. “He is long, strong and an athletic wing that shoots the ball very well. He is a natural scorer at his position and we are comfortable he will fit right in to how we like to play.”
In his prep career, Battaile scored 2,211 points while converting 139 3-point baskets. Battaile earned several honors while at Pikeville, and in 2017 and 2018 he was named the 15th Region Tournament Most Valuable Player. In addition, Battaile earned back-to-back 59th District Player of the Year awards. A two-sport athlete, he also helped Pikeville to a State Football Championship in 2015 as he threw for 1,330 yards on 76-of-95 passing with 20 touchdowns.
Battaile is the second Louisville transfer for the Panthers, as Jo Griffin made is commitment to Wesleyan earlier this spring. Cooper said the two players’ connection in college probably played a role in them both coming to Wesleyan.
“In their year together at the University of Louisville, (Battaile) and Jo became close so I am confident that helped,” Cooper said. “We owe a debt of gratitude to (Louisville head coach Chris Mack) and his staff for not only coaching and developing Griffin and Battaile, but for their communication and assistance during the recruiting process.”
Battaile is the son of Ben and Jimer Battaile. He plans to study Exercise Science.
