Steve Werner of McLennan signs with Bearkat men's basketball
12/7/2010 3:08:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Werner helped lead the Highlanders to a 27-5 record and the North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference championship last year as a freshman. This season, he is averaging 8.5 points and 5.5 rebounds on a McLennan squad that has started the 2010-11 season with a 10-2 record.
"Steve is a big, athletic guy with good hands and a nice touch on his jump shot," McLennan head coach Kevin Gill said. Gill also coached All-Southland Conference point guard Jejuan Plair and current Bearkat team member Nafis Richardson.
Werner is shooting 54 percent from the field for McLennan this season. During his freshman season in 2009-10, he averaged 5.6 points and 4.4 rebounds, playing in 31 games.
"We're very excited to sign Steve," Hooten said. "He is a strong, athletic player who is a skilled shooter and good defender. He is a 'pick-and-pop' type of player who can score both inside and outside."
Werner averaged 18.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.3 blocks at Birdville High School in North Richland Hills for head coach Jeff Fitch. He was ranked among the top 100 recruits by TexasHoops.com and was named "Newcomer of the Year" in his district as a sophomore.
"At McLennan, Steve plays in a guard oriented offense," Hooten said. "Once he fits into our system here, he has the ability to put some points on the scoreboard."
Earlier, Sam Houston State announced the early signing of Michael Holyfield, a 6-10, 240-pound post player from Manzano High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Holyfield averaged 12.2 points and 10.3 rebounds per game as a junior on a team with seven seniors.
