Jacket Basketball Adds Four (5/16/07)

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State-Billings men’s basketball coach Craig Carse announced the final members of his 2007 recruiting class on Wednesday.  Joining the Yellowjackets as freshmen for the 2007-2008 season will be Cameron Khoury of Alta Loma, CA; Aaron Terry of Moreno Valley, CA; John Brooks of Perris, CA; and Kyle Palmer of Baton Rouge, LA.

“These four guys, in addition to the other three recruits, give us the quality of student-athletes with basketball ability that will allow us to compete in the GNAC,” said Carse.  “Our goal with this group will be to see them grow to the kind of team that can play in the NCAA Tournament.”

Khoury is a 6-foot-9 forward from Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.  As a senior he averaged 11.6 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 1.3 blocked shots per game.  He earned All-Inland Valley and All C.I.F. first team honors after helping the Grizzlies to their second-straight league championship.

“I chose Montana State-Billings because of the family oriented atmosphere,” said Khoury.  “The basketball program has great upside for what is to come in the future.  Coach Carse and assistant coach Dave Carse have treated me like family ever since they started recruiting me.  Their connections run deep and will compliment and put forth a bright and prosperous future.”

Terry is a 6-3 guard from Valley View High School in Moreno Valley.  He averaged 18 points, eight rebounds, and five assists per game as a senior.  A four-year letterman, Terry was named Inland Valley All-League and All-C.I.F. second team as a senior.  He also earned all-league honors as a junior.

“I thought the learning environment was right for me,” said Terry of choosing Montana State-Billings.  “Small class sizes and a hands-on approach were very attractive to me in my decision.  I also thought the coaching staff and overall basketball program would be a good fit for me.”

Brooks is a 6-1 guard from Rancho Verde High School in Moreno Valley.  As a senior he led his team in scoring at 17.4 points per game.  He also averaged five rebounds and 4.4 assists.  Brooks earned all-league honors as both a junior and senior and was named to the All-Riverside County honorable mention team as a senior.  He helped his team to three league championships and four C.I.F. playoffs.

“I chose Montana State-Billings because of Coach Carse,” said Brooks.  “He is an all-around great guy, friendly, very knowledgeable about the game of basketball, and most importantly very honest.  Honesty is very important to me and important to him as well.  The vision that he has for the future and what he’s trying to accomplish with his program is great, and I want to be a part of that.”

Palmer is a 5-8 guard from Scotlandville Magnet High School in Baton Rouge.  He graduated in 2003 and attended classes part time at Baton Rouge Community College for two years.  As a senior at Scotlandville, Palmer averaged 13.1 points and five assists per game to earn All-Metro and All-City honors.

The Yellowjackets will open the 2007-2008 season at Disney’s Tip-Off Classic in Los Angeles on November 2, 3 and 4.  Their opponents for the tournament have yet to be determined.  The Jackets’ home opener is scheduled for December 22 against Nebraska-Omaha, and their first GNAC game will be at home against Seattle University on January 5.

2007-2008 MSU Billings Roster: Ammar Harknell (Sr., Stockholm, Sweden), Carl Johnson (Jr., Rapid City, SD), Mike Barton (So., Havre, MT), Jeff Miner (So., Gresham, OR), Troy Ruff (So., Custer, MT), Kirk Blaine (Fr., Gillette, WY), John Brooks (Fr., Perris, CA), Kyle Palmer (Fr., Baton Rouge, LA), Brett Taylor (Fr., Billings, MT), Brean Tennant (Fr., Gillette, WY), Aaron Terry (Fr., Moreno Valley, CA), Cameron Khoury (Fr., Alta Loma, CA).