August 15, 2007 ZOLLINGER ANNOUNCES SAINTS 2007-2008 RECRUITING CLASS BRYAN ZOLLINGER Seward County Community College first-year head men’s basketball coach Bryan Zollinger has announced the Saints 2007-2008 recruiting class. After being named the seventh head men’s basketball coach at SCCC, Zollinger has signed a recruiting class that includes five freshmen and one sophomore transfer student-athlete. Overall the Saints will welcome four student-athletes from Kansas , one from Maryland and one from Missouri . Zollinger also inherits five returning players from last seasons squad that finished 17-14 overall. The Saints initial recruiting class has been announced, despite two out-of-state scholarships that remain available for the 2007-2008 season. The Saints will return four key players from last season including Nick Burns (8.2 ppg., 4.6 apg.) Darko Cohadarevic (9.5 ppg., 5.0 rpg.), Ervin Williams (8.3 ppg., 5.0 rpg.) and Bryson Hampton (5.7 ppg., 4.6 rpg.) With four out-of-state players returning from last season, including two 6-foot-8-inch and one 6-foot-9-inch post players, Zollinger knew his focus would be finding a backcourt and in-state players who could enter next season and make a difference in the Saints’ line-up. “I felt very good about being able to find the in-state players that we did, especially since it was so late into the process,” Zollinger said. “I think our in-state players we signed really have a chance to develop. They have good work ethics and the majority of them come from good programs. The out-of-state players that we signed (Ross Williams and Reggie Chamberlain) both have a really good chance to be high-impact guys right away.” Reggie Chamberlain ( Raytown H.S., Kansas City , Mo. ) 6-0, Point Guard Chamberlain led Raytown High School to a 27-3 overall record during his senior season. In 2006-2007, Chamberlain averaged 20 points, six assists, four steals and three rebounds per game. His efforts earned him Conference Most Valuable Player, First Team All-State and First Team All-Conference accolades. Chamberlain was also named the 2007 Most Valuable Player of the St. Louis All-Star Game. In addition, he was crowned the St. Louis All-Star Game three-point champion. Chamberlain’s high school career included three straight seasons averaging double-figures in scoring, along with averaging over five assists per game. Coach Zollinger on Chamberlain: “Reggie played at Raytown H.S. where they had a very successful season this past year. He was a very accomplished player and is a very skilled player. He can use either hand off the dribble. He can pass, shoots the ball well from the perimeter and has a high basketball I.Q.” Donald Dixon (Pratt C.C./Wichita Southeast H.S., Wichita , Kan. ) 5-9, Guard Dixon transfers to SCCC after playing one season at Pratt Community College in 2005-2006. Dixon helped lead the Beavers to an 18-13 overall season while playing in 30-of-31 games. He led Pratt C.C. in assists (3.9 apg.), scored 22 three-point buckets and averaged 3.5 points per game. While in high school, Dixon was a 2004-05 First Team All-City and First Team All-State selection at Wichita Southeast H.S. He averaged 12 points, six assists, three rebounds, three blocks and two steals per game his senior season. Coach Zollinger on Dixon : “We saw Donald at an open gym in Wichita . He is a strong, physical and athletic player who was looking for a place to go. We are hoping that he will make an impact for us.” Steven Hooks ( Blue Valley West H.S., Overland Park , Kan. ) 6-1, Guard In 2006-2007, Hooks had a memorable senior season at Blue Valley West H.S. as they took home the Kansas 6A State Tournament championship trophy. Hooks averaged 6.2 points, 3.2 steals, 2.4 rebounds and two assists per game last season. Blue Valley West won the state tournament with an 18-4 overall record. Coach Zollinger on Hooks: “Steven is a nice addition as an in-state player because he comes from a great program. His high school won the state championship this past season. He is an all-around player. He can play the point, he can play the two (guard) and he just plays really hard. Steven is a good athlete who is a fundamental player.” Ty Hubert ( Shawnee Mission North H.S., Miriam, Kan. ) 6-1, Guard In 2006-2007, Hubert was a Sunflower League Honorable Mention All-Conference selection. During his senior season, Hubert averaged 7.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and made 34 three-point field goals in 21 games played. Hubert led his high school team shooting 36 percent from 3-point range. Coach Zollinger on Hubert: “Ty has the potential to be a really good player. He has a good jump shot. The thing that makes him interesting is he has a very big up-side. He has a nice athletic frame and I think he will have the ability to develop into a really good player.” Drew Jones (Garden City H.S., Garden City, Kan. ) 6-1, Guard Jones will travel 60 miles south to Liberal from Garden City H.S. where he was a First Team All-Western Athletic Conference selection this past season. In 2006-2007, Jones averaged 17 points, 5.1 rebounds, four assists and two steals per game. Following his senior season, Jones was a Hutchinson News First Team All-State selection. In Jones’ junior season he was a First Team All-WAC selection and was named Second Team Hutchinson News All-State. Coach Zollinger on Jones: “Drew is going to be very interesting to watch develop. A couple years ago he was just 5-foot-2-inches. He has grown almost a foot over the last two years. He has people in his family that are 6-foot-10-inches and 6-foot-7-inches tall. His dad was a very good athlete and a coach. He has a very athletic family and a very athletic background. Every time I have seen him since we have signed him it looks like his body just keeps developing. Playing against Liberal H.S. last season he scored 36 points. He is a very interesting prospect that I have really high hopes for.” Ross Williams (Blair Montgomery H.S., Silver Spring , Md. ) 6-2, Guard Williams is a highly touted athlete from Blair Montgomery H.S., which is the largest high school in the state of Maryland (2,800 enrolled). In 2006-2007, Williams averaged 13.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. He was a Second Team All-Montgomery County selection and led his team with 17 double-double performances. Williams scored a career-high 30 points against rival, Springbrook H.S., during his junior season. Williams was a two-sport star in high school also leading the Blair Montgomery H.S. football team in rushing, during both his junior and senior seasons, from the quarterback and running back positions. Williams received interest from many NCAA Division I football programs last year including Penn State University and the University of Maryland . Coach Zollinger on Williams: “Ross is a tremendous athlete, built very well, has great speed and has great vertical athleticism. He can shoot the ball well from the perimeter and can play the point, although, he is a natural two-guard. Ross was a tremendous football player who was being recruited by some ACC football programs. I’ve had some good luck with some guys like that in the past and so has Seward County .”