BLOG 1: Ferris men’s basketball team loads up with strong recruits

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris' 2008-09 team, including Justin Keenan (pictured), should be aided by four incoming transfers this season (FSU Photographic Services)

BIG RAPIDS – Keeping up with the top men’s basketball teams in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference clearly is no easy task.

But, Ferris State University head coach Bill Sall and top assistant Cory Anderson are hopeful some key additions to their roster (for the 2008-09 season) will pay major dividends.

The Bulldogs needed to add some depth to its roster and went a long way toward that with the recently-announced additions of four junior transfers who bring experience and talent to Ferris’ program. Ferris added Austin Randel, a sharp-shooting swingman who prepped at McBain High School and played previously in college at North Greenville; Jon Yeazel, a Middleville native who played in college previously at Central Michigan and Schoolcraft College; Verdell Billingsley, a native of Cleveland, who is coming from a strong Owens Community College program; and Josh Young, originally from Ypsilanti, who has college-level experience having played at Kellogg Community College.

As a group, these young guys bring athleticism, some shooting, experience and depth to a Ferris roster looking to complement returnees like 6-foot-6 frontcourt player Justin Keenan, who had a banner rookie season last winter and has worked hard to gear up for his sophomore campaign. Randel is a tremendous outside shooter, Young brings athleticism and a defensive presence to the backcourt, Yeazel (expected to redshirt) will bring experience and a solid all-around game and Billingsley is an athlete who has the ability to score on the low block.

For more on this recruiting class visit the press release on the Web site:
http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/sports/bbmen/0809news/0809transfers.htm

During the early-signing period, Sall announced the signings of versatile swingman Max Gover, who prepped at Lansing Catholic Central, and talented point guard Dontae Molden, a Detroit native who prepped at Pershing High School.

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com