Jacket Men Sign Two from Wyoming (4/19/07)

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State-Billings head basketball coach Craig Carse announced Thursday that two high school seniors from Gillette, Wyo., have signed national letters of intent to play for the Yellowjackets next season.  Brean Tennant and Kirk Blaine, both from Campbell County High School in Gillette, will join the Yellowjackets as freshmen in the fall.  They helped Campbell County HS to conference and regional championships last season as well as a fifth place finish at the state tournament.

Tennant

“We are excited to have quality student-athletes from a superior high school program join our university,” said Carse.  “Brean and Kirk excel in the classroom, win on the court, and represent the best in young people.  They have the intangibles that meet the standards of former players that have become all-conference people as players as well as academically.”

Tennant is a 6-foot-6 guard who lettered twice in basketball and once in golf for the Fighting Camels.  He averaged 9.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game as a senior.  Tennant was also named to the 2007 Energy Classic All-Tournament team.

“The system and the coaches are very similar to my high school,” said Tennant of choosing MSU Billings.  “It’s the same style of play, and the coaches care more about developing players and people than winning basketball games.  I’ll be playing with Kirk again, and I know he will work hard with me.  Also, coming to play with Jeff Miner will be great because he is a terrific player.  This is the best place for me to develop as a player and a student.”

Blaine

Blaine is a 6-5 guard who lettered four years in basketball and one year in football for the Camels.  He was an all-conference and all-state selection last year after averaging 13 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.  Blaine was also named to the Energy Classic All-Tournament team in 2006.

“I chose MSU Billings because of the great academic and athletic possibilities I have there,” said Blaine.  “It seemed like a good fit for me as both a student and an athlete at the same time.  I believe the coaching staff is excellent, and the team will be very good in the years to come.”