Ryan Divish
Havre Daily News Sports Editor
rdivish@havredailynews.com
Montana State University-Northern men's basketball coach Shawn Huse has added a trio of recruits for the upcoming season, including a pair of Montana players.
Class A state tournament most valuable player Anthony Minson has signed an NAIA national letter of intent to play for the Lights in 2005-06.
Minson, a 6-5 forward, led the Columbia Falls Wildcats to a thrilling 52-50 come-from-behind win over the Butte Central Maroons in this year's state championship game, scoring 16 points and grabbing seven rebounds.
Minson averaged 14 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and two assists per game this past season, helping Columbia Falls finish 20-3 overall. He earned second team all-conference honors in the Western A Division.
"Anthony had a very good senior season," Huse said. "We feel that he steadily improved as the year progressed, evidenced by his strong finish at the state tournament. He plays well around the basket and is solid in transition."
Minson was named his team's most valuable player after leading the Wildcats in scoring and rebounding. He was also named the team's best defensive player.
"He's a very good person who will make a great fitzz in our program and on our campus," Huse said.
Minson plans to major in business at Northern.
Joining Minson as a Northern recruit is another player from western Montana. Superior's Dustin Feasel has also signed to play for the Lights this season.
Feasel, a 6-0 guard, averaged 22 points and 5.6 rebounds during his senior season, leading the Bobcats to a 17-10 record and an appearance in the Class B state tournament.
He earned first team all-state and all-conference honors in basketball after leading District 7B in scoring.
Feasel's talents extend further than the basketball court. He was a solid competitor in football and track for the Bobcats. He earned first team all-conference and all-state honors in football as a wide receiver and defensive back. He also excelled in track.
Besides athletics, Feasel excelled academically and was named Superior's valedictorian for the class of 2005.
"Dustin is a guy who scored consistently all season in District 7B," Huse said. "He is an extremely well-rounded student-athlete. With his efforts in athletics and the classroom, he will make a great addition to our program and the MSU-Northern campus."
Huse also inked a junior college transfer that he expects to compete for playing time immediately.
Ronnie Simpson, a 6-4 guard/forward, will transfer to Northern from Cuyamaca Community College in California.
Simpson led the Pacific Coast Junior College Conference in scoring at 19.3 points per game. He was eighth in rebounding at 6.5 rebounds per game. He earned first-team all-conference honors as Cuyamaca finished third overall.
"Ronnie brings the qualities we desire for our program, our campus and our community," Huse said. "He is a person who is very focused on basketball and academics. On the court, he does an excellent job of scoring, rebounding and passing the basketball. He is a very versatile player who poses match-up difficulties for opponents. He is a team player who will fit in well with our team and its concepts."
