Senior Night at Johnson Coliseum
2/28/2012 8:49:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Marcus James is a two-year letterman who transferred to SHSU last year from Seward County Community College in Kansas.
Antuan Bootle is the last player remaining from Sam Houston's 2010 Southland Conference championship team that threw a scare into the Baylor Bears in the NCAA Regional in New Orleans.
Both have played important roles on this year's Sam Houston State men's basketball team.
"Both Marcus and Antuan are outstanding young men who have been good leaders for this team," Sam Houston head coach Jason Hooten said. "Marcus has done whatever we've asked of him, no matter how big or small the task is. Antuan is our only fourth year guy. He's bounced back from injuries and adversity many times and he too is committed to helping make this team better."
James will be appearing in his 54th game as a Bearkat Wednesday. He has started 28 games as a senior, leading the team in rebounds with 208 and averaging 10.6 points per game in Southland play.
Bootle is playing in his 98th contest at Sam Houston. He was the 2010 championship team's leading rebounder in Southland Conference play and has totaled 343 points and 436 rebounds during his Kat career.
"Obviously, winning the championship and playing in the NCAA tournament in 2010 will always be a great memory," Bootle said. "This team this year is out to make some great memories too. This is a new group of guys who went through some hard times early in the season. They have a great work ethic and make it exciting to play basketball. We're looking to fight our way back into the post-season tournament. Who knows what can happen after that."
James has scored in double figures in 14 games this season, leading the team in scoring seven times including a season best of 24 points against UT-Arlington.
"Playing last year with Gilberto Clavell taught me to push myself harder, because nobody worked harder than Gilberto," James said. "Antuan also has helped me. He made Sam Houston a home ."
Bootle made history one week ago, pulling down a career high 20 rebounds in the Bearkats' victory at Northwestern State. The performance marked the first time since 1989 that a Sam Houston men's basketball player has totaled 20 rebounds in one game.
The senior from the Bahamas by way of Houston missed much of this season due to a foot injury.
"To be honest, I was just out there," Bootle said of the 20-rebound game. "I got the chance to play big minutes and coach told me he needed me to be a veteran. It was good to be feeling a bit like my old self. It's been a while since I felt like that in a game."
James also knows it has been important to the young Bearkat squad to have veteran leadership.
"Our role is to be leaders every day," James said. "We need to show effort every day and be enthusiastic."
With the SFA game Wednesday and a road trip to Texas State Saturday, the two seniors look to lead Sam Houston into the Southland Conference post season tournament for 10th year in a row.
Both games will be broadcast live on KSAM 101.7 FM.
"Senior Night" is not the only attraction for fans Wednesday at Johnson Coliseum. Following the game, Johnson Coliseum will host the Great Bearkat Shootout contest presented by The Grove where Sam Houston State students will have the opportunity to win great prizes.
Tickets for the Southland Conference tournament in Katy are available online now at www.gobearkats.com/tickets . For more information come the SHSU athletic ticket office at the Ron Mafrige Field House or call (936) 294-1729. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
