SFA Basketball Adds Two In Early Signing Period
11/18/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 18, 2004
NACOGDOCHES, Texas-- Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack basketball coach Danny Kaspar has announced the signing of two student-athletes to letters of intent to play basketball and continue their education at SFA. Jerel Hastings, a 6-5 senior at Dallas Oak Cliff High School and Josh Alexander, a 6-4 senior at Shreveport C.E. Byrd High School have both signed with the `Jacks and will enroll at the university next fall.
Hastings averaged 15 points, five rebounds and 3.5 steals per game last year as a junior for coach James Mays II and helped South Oak Cliff to a 22-8 record. The team advanced to the third round of the high school basketball playoffs and Hastings was an all-district selection. As a sophomore, SOC went 29-6 and advanced to the state semi-finals and his team enters the 2004-05 season as the number one ranked 4A team in the state.
"Jerel is a great sign for us. He is a tough young man and is a well-rounded player. He defends, rebounds can score and is very athletic. I see him having a great career at SFA," said Kaspar.
Hastings' high school coach added, "Jerel is one of the best all-around players to come through the South Oak Cliff program in the past two years. He is very hard-nosed and is a smart basketball player. We could not be happier for him in his decision to attend SFA. I think it will be a great fit for both parties," said Mays.
Alexander averaged 19 points, eight rebounds and two assists per game as a junior last season at Byrd High School and is averaging 27.5 points per game so far as a senior for coach Mike Guess.
"Josh is a great shooter and scorer. He can play the small forward or off guard spot and is a versatile player. He reminds me a lot of Antonio Burks - a first team All-Southland Conference selection - but, he is a more athletic player than Antonio. Josh rebounds the ball well for a 6-4 player and we are very excited to have both of these young men join us," added Kaspar.
Coach Mike Guess said that Alexander will be missed when he leaves the Byrd program, but he is happy for the chance Alexander will receive. "I am very proud for Josh to have this opportunity to play college basketball. I know it has been one of his goals for the last four years, and he has worked extremely hard to improve all aspects of his game in order to earn it. Josh is fun player to coach because of the amount of effort, enthusiasm, and talent he brings to the court every day," said Guess. SFA opens the regular season Saturday night in Tampa, Fla. against the University of South Florida. ™
