ARCATA — In his new role as men’s basketball head coach, Humboldt State’s Steve Kinder moved aggressively and decisively in shaping his first Lumberjack squad.
Kinder, who has served as the Jacks’ No. 1 assistant under Tom Wood for the past 19 years, officially takes the program’s reigns on July 1. That’s when Wood’s very successful 29-year tenure ends and his well-earned retirement begins.
Looking to continue what he and Wood have shaped into one of the top NCAA Division II programs in the west, Kinder announced Tuesday the addition of 10 highly-regarded recruits who will join the Jacks for the 2010-11 season.
“Obviously, it’s important to do well this coming year and keep the program at the high level we’ve been accustomed to,” Kinder said. “Expectations are high, and I welcome that challenge.”
The larger-than-normal recruiting class should more than shore up a team that earned a share of the California Collegiate Athletic Association championship last year, but lost two key players to graduation. Gone are seniors Zac Tiedeman, the CCAA Player of the Year, and Kevin Atkins, an all-CCAA selection.
But even with all-league first team selection Brian Morris, starters Ernie Spada and Elliott Babock-Krenk, and versatile forward Kyle Baxter returning, Kinder felt the need to add some insurance that would augment that corps.
“We lost four very good seniors off a championship team,” Kinder said. “That’s tough to replace. But with this group of newcomers, I’m confident we’ve added both quality and depth.”
Following are brief biographies of the Jacks’ recruiting class for 2010-11.
Brandon Sperling
Junior transfer Brandon Sperling comes in as a junior after playing two seasons for NCAA Division I Fresno State.
Humboldt State aggressively pursued Sperling out of high school before losing him to the Bulldogs. During his two seasons at Fresno, Sperling started 24 games, averaging more than 20 minutes per contest as a sophomore.
“Brandon brings us a versatile guard who can run the point, be a threat from the wing position, and can really defend at a high level,” Humboldt State head coach Steve Kinder said. “His length and athleticism gives us many options offensively and defensively. Brandon can make spectacular plays in an instant.“
Sperling, a 6-3 guard/forward, led his team in every major statistical category during the 2007-08 season at Fresno Buchanon High School. He averaged 16.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 2.4 steals per game, helping the Bears make a run at the TRAC title.
Following his outstanding senior year, Sperling was selected to the Fresno All-City team and also the all-Fresno Bee first team.
Marcus Hall
Former Bakersfield Christian High School standout Marcus Hall is another Division I transfer who is joining the Jacks as a sophomore after spending the past season at Cal State Bakersfield. He’ll be counted on to add scoring and defense to the Lumberjacks.
During his freshman year with the Roadrunners, the 6-3 guard started 13 games and averaged 18 minutes per contest. He was third on the team with 26 successful 3-pointers.
“Marcus is a strong guard who moves well off the ball and is a constant threat,” Kinder said. “He’s a scorer with great 3-point range, and plays aggressive on-the-ball defense.”
During his senior season at Bakersfield Christian, Hall led the Eagles to the South Sequoia League and CIF Central Section Div. IV titles in 2009 by averaging 20.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. A three–time first team All–SSL selection, Hall reached double figures in 80 of his last 85 prep games.
“I’m very excited that Marcus is joining our program,” Kinder said. “I expect him to have an immediate impact on the court and to be a real crowd-pleaser.”
Bo Henning
All-state JC guard Bo Henning, a 6-3 transfer from Yuba College, comes to HSU for as a junior. He played his freshman season at NCAA Division I Cal Poly San Luis Obispo before leading Yuba to a 25-5 season and the Bay Valley Conference championship as a sophomore point guard.
A four-time team MVP at Christian Brothers High in Sacramento, Henning brings solid floor general skills to HSU, and is also a prolific scorer. During his prep career, Henning averaged 27.5 points per game as a junior and 23.9 as a senior.
“(Henning) is a player with a high basketball IQ who knows how to win games,” Kinder said. “He’s a true scorer and he also has a great sense of game management. Bo is a great addition to our program.”
Randy Hunter
Citrus Junior College basketball standout Randy Hunter, a 6-6 forward, will be counted on to help fill the void of graduated senior Kevin Atkins, who was a key to the Jacks earning the 2009-10 California Collegiate Athletic Association co-championship. At HSU he’ll also be reunited with Avery Asprilla, who served as an assistant coach at Citrus and was recently hired as the Jacks ‘ No. 1 assistant coach.
During Citrus’ 2009-10 season, Hunter played a major role in the Fighting Owls earning the Western State Conference title while posting a 29-3 overall record. He scored nine points and grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds in the team’s narrow loss to eventual state champion Saddleback in the state JC quarterfinals.
“Randy is an athlete who competes well, and gives us a scoring option both inside and outside,” Kinder said. “He’s a durable player who will complement (CCAA first-team selection) Brian Morris down on the blocks.”
Hunter earned All-State Honorable Mention honors and 1st team all-Western State Conference South honors. He averaged 10.7 points and a team high 7.1 rebounds per game, shooting 56.8% shooting from the floor, and was also named the All-Tournament team at the State Championships.
A native of Santa Maria, Hunter played his prep career at Righetti High School.
Matt Lipski
College of the Redwoods’ standout post Matt Lipski will continue his collegiate career locally, suiting up for Humboldt State next season.
Lipski, a 6-9, 270-pound sophomore, will be counted on for solid support down low. He was among the best in the Golden Valley Conference in that role last year, ranking fourth in league in field goal percentage (.554), third in rebounding (7.7 per game) and first in blocked shots (2.2 per game).
“(Lipski) comes at you constantly, runs the floor well, and passes the ball extremely well for a post player,” Kinder said. “I’m proud to retain a local player of his caliber, and I’m looking forward to coaching him for the next three years.”
A two-sport standout out of Ashland High School in Ashland, Ore., Lipski originally opted to play football at the University of Montana. Following a successful freshman season with the Grizzlies, Lipski discovered that he missed the hardcourt, and transferred to College of the Redwoods to begin his collegiate hoop career.
In high school, Lipski was an intimidating presence in the paint for the Ashland Grizzlies. He helped his team claim the Southern Sky Conference championship his senior year, and was rewarded with first-team all-league honors.
Andrew Torres
When former Montebello High School hoop standout Andrew Torres signed a National Letter of Intent to attend HSU and play for the Jacks, Kinder knew he had added a key component to the Jacks’ future.
During 2009-10, Torres, a 6-3 forward, averaged 15 points and seven rebounds a game for Montebello, the Altmont League champions. Following the season, Torres was honored as Altmont League MVP and was a Division 1AA first team selection.
“Andrew is a strong-bodied freshman who can step in and contribute his first year,” Kinder said. “He’s a scoring threat inside and out. I was also impressed with how he can run the two wing positions and handle the ball extremely well.
Torres’ efforts helped the Montebello Oilers to a 28-2 overall record and advancement into the second round of the CIF-Southern Section playoffs. He was also chosen as the Whittier Daily News Player of the Year and was selected co-MVP of the Sargent's All-Star Game.
“Andrew has quick instincts, which allows him to be ahead of the play,” Kinder said. “He’s a polished, intelligent player who will be a nice addition to our program.”
Scott Clark
Scott Clark is a 6-2 guard who helped Ohlone JC capture the 2010 Coast Conference championship and advance to the state quarterfinals. Following the season, Clark was recognized as an all-Coast Conference first-team selection for 2009-10.
“Scott comes from a winning basketball program and understands how to distribute the ball,” HSU head coach Steve Kinder said. “He moves very well, and he’s an active player who will add toughness to our team.”
Last year, Clark averaged 10.6 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, 2.6 assists per game and shot 32.2 percent from behind the three-point line for the Renegades, who held the state’s No. 1 ranking through most of the season.
CJ Morgan
Former Franklin High School basketball star CJ Morgan will finish his collegiate career at HSU as a senior transfer.
Morgan, who previously played two seasons of college ball at NCAA Division I University of Pacific, signed a National Letter of Intent with HSU after sitting out last year.
“CJ is a polished guard who makes everyone around him play better,” HSU head coach Steve Kinder said. His maturity as a player and student adds to our foundation. I’m proud to have him aboard.”
During his stint at UOP, Morgan flashed his scoring potential, including a career-best 24-point effort against Sacramento State during his freshman year. He led the Tigers in scoring three times that season, and was third on the team in three-pointers as a sophomore.
As a prep, Morgan earned first-team all-Delta League, first-team all-Area, and second -team all-State honors his senior season, leading the Franklin Wildcats to a 20-7 record. As a junior, Morgan posted a section playoff record 52-point performance in the Sac-Joaquin Section semifinal against Modesto in ARCO Arena.
”(Morgan) has deep range well beyond the 3-point line,” Kinder said. He’s a player who can create shots and sees the floor well.”
Greg Hamik
Gilroy High School basketball standout Greg Hamik is a 6-1 guard who led the GHS Mustangs to a 19-7 season and the Central Coast Section semifinals.
“Greg comes from a winning basketball program and will help ours continue a winning tradition,” HSU head coach Steve Kinder said. “He has a great poise and confidence. Our fans are going to see a freshman who will not back down from anyone.”
Hamik, the Tri-County Athletic League's co-Most Outstanding Player for the 2009-10 season, averaged 16.4 points per game his senior season. He also led the TCAL in three-pointers with 54.
“Greg is tough player and a skilled guard with a quick release,” Kinder said. “He has exceptional speed with the ball in his hands.”
Tyler Brown
According to Kinder, former Monterey Peninsula Junior College standout Tyler Brown brings a skill-set that is well-suited to Humboldt State’s fast-paced style of play.
“Tyler’s court awareness is tremendous. He’s a very unselfish player who moves the ball around the court well,” Kinder said. “His length and aggressive defense will serve us well in guarding the CCAA’s top perimeter players. Tyler’s talent and athletic ability will help him transition nicely into our program.”
A 6-2 guard, Brown was a key member of the El Camino High School team that achieved a 26-6 record in 2007-08. He was a teammate of current Lumberjack Kyle Baxter, the 2008-09 CCAA Freshman of the Year.