Northern adds trio of men's basketball recruits
Ryan Divish - Havre Daily News Sports Editor
rdivish@havredailynews.com
Montana State University-Northern men's basketball coach
Class A state tournament most valuable player Anthony Minson
has signed an NAIA national letter of intent to play for the Lights in 2005-06.
Minson, a 6-5 forward, led the Columbia Falls
Wildcats to a thrilling 52-50 come-from-behind win over the Butte Central
Maroons in this year's state championship game, scoring 16 points and grabbing
seven rebounds.
Minson averaged 14 points, nine rebounds, two
blocks and two assists per game this past season, helping Columbia Falls finish
20-3 overall. He earned second team all-conference honors in the Western A Division.
"Anthony had a very good senior season," Huse said. "We feel
that he steadily improved as the year progressed, evidenced by his strong
finish at the state tournament. He plays well around the basket and is solid in
transition."
Minson was named his team's most valuable player
after leading the Wildcats in scoring and rebounding. He was also named the
team's best defensive player.
"He's a very good person who will make a great fit
in our program and on our campus," Huse said.
Minson plans to major in business at Northern.
Joining Minson as a Northern recruit is another
player from western
Feasel, a 6-0 guard, averaged 22 points and 5.6
rebounds during his senior season, leading the Bobcats to a 17-10 record and an
appearance in the Class B state tournament.
He earned first team all-state and all-conference honors in basketball after
leading District 7B in scoring.
Feasel's talents extend further than the basketball
court. He was a solid competitor in football and track for the Bobcats. He
earned first team all-conference and all-state honors in football as a wide
receiver and defensive back. He also excelled in track.
Besides athletics, Feasel excelled academically and
was named
"Dustin is a guy who scored consistently all season in District 7B,"
Huse said. "He is an extremely well-rounded student-athlete. With his
efforts in athletics and the classroom, he will make a great addition to our
program and the MSU-Northern campus."
Huse also inked a junior college transfer that he expects to compete for
playing time immediately.
Ronnie Simpson, a 6-4 guard/forward, will transfer to Northern from
Simpson led the Pacific Coast Junior College Conference in scoring at 19.3
points per game. He was eighth in rebounding at 6.5 rebounds per game. He
earned first-team all-conference honors as Cuyamaca
finished third overall.
"Ronnie brings the qualities we desire for our program, our campus and our
community," Huse said. "He is a person who is very focused on basketball
and academics. On the court, he does an excellent job of scoring, rebounding
and passing the basketball. He is a very versatile player who poses match-up
difficulties for opponents. He is a team player who will fit in well with our
team and its concepts."