Northern legends return for alumni game

George Ferguson

Havre Daily News Sports News Editor
gferguson@havredailynews.com

After a perfect 3-0 start to the season, it is time to see how the Montana State University-Northern Lights men's basketball team stacks up against some true Lights legends.

On Saturday night, MSU-Northern will host its annual men's alumni game, and the Lights alumni roster is packed with past Northern stars.

The long and distinguished list is led by one of Northern's all-time leading scorers in Deon Jones. Jones was recently inducted into the MSU-N Hall of Fame.

Joining Jones this weekend is another Lights fan favorite and veteran of alumni games, Buck Meriwether of Great Falls. Meriwether won't be alone when it comes to fan favorites this weekend. Former Northern point guard Richie Willis is also making a return to Havre on Saturday. The two played together for three seasons in Havre from 1985 through 1987.

Former Lights power forwards Tom Hennesey and Shawn Wetzel are also back, as is former MSU-N center Art Krueger. The trio will give the alumni team a strong presence in the post.

Brian McGowan and former Hays-Lodge Pole standout Charlie Ereaux round out this year's Lights alumni roster.

The 2005-06 MSU-Northern men's basketball team will counter the alumni team's size with scoring firepower led by senior Jordan Mathews. Mathews led the Lights in scoring in two of its three wins last weekend in a tournament in Edmonton, Alberta.

Junior college transfer Ronnie Simpson will also help the Lights in the scoring department on Saturday, as will Havre native Cory Brothers. Brothers paced the Lights in their final game last Saturday night, scoring a game-high 19 points. He also had five assists and seven rebounds.

The Lights will counter the alumni team's size with power forward Marcus Wilson and 6-9 center Yanif Ducreay. Both players were instrumental in the Lights' success in Edmonton last weekend. Great Falls native Cody Gillespie also played well in Edmonton.

The 2005 MSU-Northern men's alumni game gets under way at 8 p.m. on Saturday at the MSU-Northern Fieldhouse in Havre.

MSU-Northern Lights

Alumni Roster

2005-06

Shawn Wetzel 6'7“ F

Art Krueger 6'6“ F

Zach McLean 5'10“ G

Deon Jones 5'11“ G

Brian McGowan 6'4“ F

Tom Hennesey 6'5“ F

Charlie Ereaux 6'5“ F

Rich Willis 5'11“ G

Buck Meriwether 6'6“ F