Rising Star: Colton Hiller’s Journey to Excellence
Colton Hiller, a 6-foot-6 standout from Coatesville, has made a name for himself in the world of high school basketball. Coming into the 2025-26 season, he was ranked as the number three sophomore in the country. His growth over the past year has been remarkable, transforming him into a more complete player and setting the stage for an impressive campaign.
During the regular season, Hiller averaged just under 23 points per game. In 22 contests, he hit 51 three-pointers and surpassed the 1,000-point mark in his short career at Coatesville. His performance was instrumental in leading the Red Raiders to a third consecutive Ches-Mont League championship, a runner-up finish in the District 1 6A playoffs, and a spot in the PIAA 6A tournament.
For these achievements, Hiller has been named The Daily Local News All-Area Boys Basketball Player of the Year for the second straight season. This recognition highlights his impact on the court and his growing reputation as one of the top players in the nation.
A Season of Growth and Leadership
Coach John Allen praised Hiller’s development this season, noting that he took a big step forward. “His maturity really came on, and he has taken on more of a leadership role with his teammates,” Allen said. “He also worked very hard on his ball handling skills and scoring off the dribble. Defensively, he has really worked on his game.”
While it’s rare for a sophomore to play great defense, Hiller has shown significant improvement in that area. “This season he has become a very complete player and he had a great season for us,” Allen added.
Hiller expressed his satisfaction with his freshman season but emphasized his desire to improve in the current campaign. “I really wanted to improve playing with the ball a little more,” he said. “I really wanted to improve my ball handling and the ability to make plays for the other guys on the court.”
He also mentioned how he learned from watching other players and their strategies. “I try to learn as much as I can by watching other players and what they do to get open and get their teammates involved in the game. I really feel my basketball IQ improved this season.”
Facing Challenges and Rivals
As Hiller dominated the Ches-Mont League season, opposing coaches faced the challenge of designing defenses to slow him down. Bishop Shanahan coach John Dougherty, whose team battled Coatesville for the league championship, spoke about the difficulty of facing Hiller.
“A player like Colton does not come around very often,” Dougherty said. “He can score in many ways, outside with his jumper with accuracy, in transition and in a halfcourt set. He is the person that other teams have to prepare for when getting ready to play Coatesville. I am glad that he is in our league.”
Coatesville assistant coach Ricky Hicks, the all-time assist leader at West Chester University, has worked with Hiller for a long time and noted his growth as a sophomore. “Last season, he was taking on a bit of a complementary role,” Hicks said. “This past season, was more assertive and he knew that he was our number one option. He started to take over games when he realized that he was our main offensive weapon and he really improved scoring off the dribble.”
A Bright Future Ahead
The legend of Hiller is still in its infancy, but in just two short years, he has become one of the most talked about players in the nation and was arguably the best player in Pennsylvania last season. There have been many Coatesville boys basketball legends in the storied history of the program. Hiller is forging his own path as he looks to carve his place in school lore.
With his talent, dedication, and growing confidence, Hiller is off to a fantastic start. It appears the future is very bright and the sky’s the limit for this rising star.
