Four to be honored at Senior Night Saturday
2/26/2010 9:15:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Corey Allmond, Preston Brown, Ashton Mitchell and Arthur Zulu will be honored in a Senior Night ceremony 10 minutes before tipoff Saturday.
The Bearkats already have clinched the No. 1 seed at the State Farm Southland Conference post-season tournament and at least a share of the Southland regular season title. A victory in Saturday's game would garner sole possession of the 2010 league title for Sam Houston.
As the only four-year senior on the squad, Mitchell will be appearing in his 119th game as a Bearkat Saturday. His 1,011 career points make him one of only 21 Sam Houston men's basketball players to score 1,000 career points.
The New Orleans native is leading the Southland Conference in assists for the second year in a row. He ranks third in career assists at Sam Houston. Mitchell earned Southland Conference "Player of the Week" honors after leading Sam Houston to a title at the Cancun Challenge in November where he was tournament MVP. Mitchell has helped lead the Kats to 20-victory seasons three of his four years at Sam Houston.
"Ashton is a leader who really has grown in his four years in the program," Sam Houston head coach Bob Marlin said. "He has a great feel with everyone on the team. I've been in coaching 28 years and he's the fastest point guard with the ball I've ever coached. He is the straw that stirs the drink for this team. Even more important, he earned his degree in three years and will be working on a second degree this year."
Allmond has drawn national attention to Sam Houston basketball with his sharp-shooting skills from behind the 3-point arc. He ranks in the top 25 nationally in 3-pointers per game and is one of the Southland's top scorers. He received Southland Conference "Player of the Week" honors in November after scoring 37 points and setting an Adolph Rupp Arena record with 11 treys against No. 4 ranked Kentucky.
In 56 games at Sam Houston, the Oxon Hill, Md., product has scored 875 points and hit in double figures 46 times. He was a first-team All-Southland Conference as a junior after transferring from Howard Junior College.
"Corey has a pretty shot with good rotation," Marlin said. "It's amazing some of the shots he has made. We feel he is one of the best shooters in the country. His outside shooting also opens up a lot for us inside as well."
Brown has scored 526 points in his 55 games for SHSU the past two years. The forward from Stringtown, OK, recented was recognized for his athletic and ac academic accomplishments by selection to the 2010 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-Region team.
A talented athlete with an amazing work ethic, he has ranked as one of Sam Houston's top scorers and rebounders, scoring in double figures 25 times in his career and producing three double-doubles this season. Brown transfer from Cowley County Junior College and was an all-state player in high school in Oklahoma.
"Preston is a leader as he shows by his work ethic in the classroom and on the court," Marlin said. "He is a true team player, a good rebounder and a strong defender. His versatility is one of his greatest strengths."
Zulu, who came to Sam Houston from Lusaka, Zambia, by way of Jacksonville College, will be appearing in his 38th game as a Bearkat. Zulu was red-shirted during the 2008 season.
"Arthur is an athletic player and a good shot blocker," Marlin said. "He has good post moves and contributes to our depth inside."
Following Saturday's game, the Bearkats will close out the regular season with road games at Northwestern State and Texas State next week.
Sam Houston will be the No. 1 seed at the State Farm Southland Conference Post-Season Classic in Katy March 10-13. Tournament ticket books are on-sale for $75 online. Go to Southland Tournament Central for more information or by call the SHSU Athletic Ticket office at 936-294-1729.
Tickets for Bearkat basketball home games are on sale now on-line. Fans also may purchase tickets at the Sam Houston athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Ticket office telephone is (936) 294-1729.
Admission to Sam Houston State regular season home athletic events is free for students on presentation of their BearkatOne card.
