After two years of playing a supporting role behind Division I talents A.J. Mathew and Dante Williams, senior guard Andre Bond will be relied upon to lead the Huron High School basketball team this season.

He can now do so without having to worry about where he’s going to school.

Bond verbally committed to Division II Northwood University on Wednesday. He said the school’s commitment to his recruitment was a major factor in his decision.

“They’ve been at most all of my games during the summer, every camp I went to and just seemed very loyal,” Bond said. “I went down there for a visit and left feeling good. Like it was the best choice for me.”

Bond (6-1) averaged 5.3 points for Huron as a junior playing mostly as a sixth man and change of pace guard. With the graduation of Mathew and Williams -- at the University of Toledo and Oakland University, respectively -- and six more seniors from last year’s team, which was 21-2, Bond will be more of the go-to player for the River Rats this season. Bond also played as a sophomore on Huron state runner-up team.

“My role as a teammate will change in a really big way,” Bond said. “I’ve been behind some great seniors, guys I really looked up to and learned a lot from.”

Bond’s biggest game last year came against perennial Ohio powerhouse Dayton Dunbar in which he had 12 points, including a personal 8-0 run in the fourth quarter, propelling Huron to a 59-58 win. Huron coach Waleed Samaha expects to see similar performances out of Bond as a senior.

“Dre’s one of those guys that the longer he plays, the better he gets,” Samaha said. “Having those guys in front of him, he’s waited patiently, and it was tough, but he’s done everything we asked.

“His leadership on and off floor will be key to our success,” said Samaha, who makes no secret that he’s a fan of players committing before the season, so recruitment isn’t a distraction in the winter.

Northwood University is located in Midland and competes in Great Lakes Interscholastic Athletic Conference. The Timberwolves are coached by Jeff Rekeweg, were 10-18 last season and finished second to last in the GLIAC.

Contact Pete Cunningham at petercunningham@annarbor.com or by phone at 734-623-2561. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.