NEW PHILADELPHIA — Two Ashtabula County graduates have found a home for the Kent State Tuscarawas men's basketball team.

Jerry Arrington and Dasjuan Williams are working their basketball magic in New Philadelphia.

Both are 2024 graduates, Arrington at Grand Valley and Williams at Lakeside.

Arrington is completing his second year at KSU Tuscarawas, and Williams in his first, after starting his college career at Lakeland Community College.

"This year was a better experience than last year because I got to play more," Arrington said.

He said it has taken some time to get used to the college game.

Arrington and Williams said they played AAU basketball together in high school so it was nice to have a familiar face on the team.

They both earned more playing time and helped the team make the recent United States Collegiate Athletic Association national tournament.

The association serves 70-80 small colleges, including junior college programs.

"We played together in AAU ball," Arrington said of the connection to Ashtabula County.

They also played against each other during the high school season.

"We have a really good pick and roll," Arrington said of his work with Williams.

KSU Tuscarawas ended the season in Buffalo in the Division II National Championship tournament with losses to Penn State York 95-91 in the quarterfinals and University of Maine-Augusta 80-73 in a consolation game.

York ended up winning the tournament with a 56-48 win over Miami-Hamilton in the championship game.

Arrington said he is studying business management and made the dean's list.

Justin Turk, Arrington's coach at Grand Valley, had a lot of positive things to say about his former player.

"Jerry is a basketball junkie," Turk said. "He was a great leader and motivator for our program. He had a relentless desire to be great and competed."

Arrington said he plans to be back in the GV gymnasium this summer.

"You have to stick to the basics and get good at them," he said.

Arrington ended up averaging 4 points and 4.2 rebounds per contest in the 2025-26 season.

He recorded a season-high 12 points during the team's 96-86 win over Miami-Hamilton Jan. 31.

Williams said there was a difficult adjustment during the early stages of the season after moving from Lakeland Community College to Tuscarawas.

"The last 10 or 12 games I started and averaged 21 points a game," he said.

Williams scored 23 points, on 8 of 13 shooting, in KSU Tuscarawas' 82-71 tournament win over Vermont State University Randolph.

He averaged 11.6 points per game, and shot 41.2% from 3-point range.

Williams said it was good to have Arrington in his corner during the transition.

Williams said the biggest thing he learned this season was not to be complacent.

He said he felt he got too comfortable with his ability and where he was in high school and at Lakeland.

Williams said he plans to work hard this summer when he returns to Ashtabula.

The pair hope to the next step forward by improving in next year's tournament.