Lights' hoops team adds two standouts

George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor [email protected]

With the start of the 2009-10 school year drawing near, the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team has added a pair of solid recruits. Earlier this week, MSU-N head coach Shawn Huse announced the signing of guard Devin Jackson and center Travis Derochowski. Jackson, a 6-1 guard from Denver, Colo., averaged 21.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.5 steals during his senior year of high school at Denver South. During that season, Jackson was named First Team All Denver Prep League, a tremendous honor for the area. Jackson will have four years of eligibility at Northern, and Huse is excited about not only his basketball ability, but all that the stellar guard brings to Northern's team. "Devin is an excellent player, and a good student who's always done very well wherever he's been," Huse said. "He's real explosive offensively, he get's to the basket, he's quick and strong and he just knows how to score. He's been out of the college game for a while, so he's going to have to learn to play at this level, but with his skills, it won't take him long. And I think he's going to be a really good player for us." MSU-N also added Travis Derochowski, a 6-9 center from McMinville, Ore. Derochowski went to Montana State University out of high school, but only stayed with the Bobcats for one season. He also played one year closer to home, at NAIA Division II Warner Pacific. "Travis has a lot of potential still," Huse said. "He has great size and good skills in the post. He still has a lot to learn about playing his position at this level, but right away, we feel like he will be a goof fit for our team, and will help us a lot. And with his size and potential, he has the ability to become a real nice player for us." The Lights, who went to the 2009 NAIA national tournament last season, start practice on Oct. 1. Northern opens its season later that month with a trip to the University of Regina.