HUSKIES ANNOUCE SEVEN RECRUITS2010-05-20

"The foundation of our program has always been local athletes," said Jockims. "The chance to go to a great school and be a part of an outstanding basketball program, while staying close to home is an attractive option. We work hard to make sure their development as students and athletes during their time here will be a great experience.”

From Saskatoon, three members of 5A Provincial Champion Holy Cross, Jonathan Harding, Jonathan Karwacki and Evan Ostertag will join the program.  Aden Bowman products Ben Baker and Sam Derksen will join them.  All five played their club basketball with the Junior Huskies Basketball Club.

Andrew Henry, from Regina Luther, will make the move to Saskatoon for the fall as will Temidayo Jabagun, from North Battleford John Paul II.

“Some of these guys may be able to help us this season, some will probably redshirt. But they all have the tools to develop into pretty solid players in the future if they continue to work hard at it. They’re all outstanding students too, which should help them adjust to a demanding academic and athletic schedule."

Baker, a six-foot-three guard, helped Bowman to a third place in the city and 5A Provincials as a senior, averaging 19.4 points and 13.2 rebounds per game. He was named MVP of the Balfour Classic when we led the Bears to the title with 37 points and 23 boards in the final. He was also named a tournament all-star at the Harry Ainlay Tri-Prov. As a junior he helped the Bears capture the City Championship averaging 11.3 points a game, and was named MVP at the Mount Royal Tip-Off Classic. He also represented Saskatchewan at the 2009 Canada Games, and is a three-year honour roll student.

Dersksen, a six-foot-one guard, played for Bowman’s senior team for three seasons and was a captain the last two. As a senior he helped the Bears to a 23-12 overall record, and was the fourth leading scorer in the city at 19.6 points per game. He increased that average to 29.7 points a game in the playoffs, posting a career-high 38 in the semi-final. He was an all-star at the Balfour Classic. As a junior he averaged 18.2 points per game, leading the Bears (28-6 overall) to the City Championship. He was named MVP at the Murray Invitational Tournament. As a sophomore he averaged 11.3 points per contest. Derksen also played for Team Saskatchewan at the 2009 Canada Games, and is a four-year honour roll student.

Harding, a six-foot-four wing player, played three seasons for Holy Cross’s senior squad. As a senior he helped the Crusaders capture both the City and 5A Provincial Championships, averaging 12.4 points per game. At the prestigious Luther Invitational Tournament in Regina, he averaged 17.8 ppg and 8.7 rebounds along the way to the championship. As a junior he averaged 6.8 points per contest, as the Crusaders went undefeated in league play but lost in the City Final and finished third at Provincials. As a sophomore he averaged 5.1 ppg as the Crusaders won the City Championship. A four-year honour roll student, Harding also played for Team Sask at the 2009 Canada Games in PEI.

Henry is a six-foot-two guard who played three seasons for Luther’s senior team. As a senior he led the Lions to their first city title since 1993, hitting a buzzer-beating 15-footer in overtime to win the game 67-66 over Regina Campbell. The Lions also finished fourth at Provincials. Henry led the team in scoring, assists and steals, and was named First Team All-RIBL, as selected by the coaches. He was a tournament all-star at BRIT and LIT.  As a junior he was also named First Team RIBL leading team to a third place finish in the city, and scored a career-high 33 points in one game.  As a sophomore he was named Second Team All-RIBL, helping the team finish fourth in the city and fifth at Provincials. He played for Team Saskatchewan at the 2009 Canada Games.

Jabagun, a six-foot-seven forward, hopes to follow in the success of other Huskie big men who came from smaller cities. He led the team in points, rebounds and blocks the past two years. He was a team captain and named team MVP during those two seasons as well. As a junior he helped the Crusaders capture three tournament title and advance to Regionals.  Jabagun is a three-year honour roll student, and represented Saskatchewan at the 2009 Canada Games.

Karwacki, a six-foot-one guard, is another product of local powerhouse Holy Cross, which captured both the City and 5A Provincial Championships. As a senior he averaged 10.6 points per contest, and was a team captain. He was named MVP at the Luther Invitational Tournament where the Crusaders won the title, and all-star at the Bedford Road Invitational Tournament. As a junior he averaged 9.6 points a game, as the Crusaders went undefeated in league play but lost in the City Final and finished third at Provincials. His father, David, is a former Huskie basketball player who still holds the school’s all-time career three-point percentage record. He will graduate this year on the Honour Roll with Distinction.

Ostertag, a six-foot-one guard, is the son of two former Huskie athletes. His father David played football and ran track, while mom Lesia ran track and cross country. Another Holy Cross grad, he helped the Crusaders win City and 5A Provincial titles as a senior.  He led the team in scoring with 16.3 points per game, scoring a career-high 42 twice. He was named a tournament all-star at the Bowlt Classic, Balfour Classic, BRIT and LIT. As a junior he averaged 10.4 points per game, helping the team go undefeated in league play. He will graduate this year on the Honour Roll with Distinction.

The Huskies went 27-9 overall in 2009-10, capturing their first Canada West Conference title and CIS Championship in March.

More men’s basketball recruit announcements will be made in the future.

Recruiting Class            Height            Hometown                        High School

Ben Baker                        6-3            Saskatoon, SK                         Aden Bowman

Sam Derksen                   6-1             Saskatoon, SK                         Aden Bowman

Jonathan Harding             6-4             Saskatoon, SK                         Holy Cross

Andrew Henry                  6-2              Regina, SK                              Luther

Temidayo Jabagun            6-7           North Battleford, SK                 John Paul II

Jonathan Karwacki            6-1            Saskatoon, SK                        Holy Cross

Evan Ostertag                   6-1             Saskatoon, SK                         Holy Cross