News and Events
[printer friendly version]posted on 4/14/04
Men's basketball signs pair of guards
Saint Joseph's College head men's basketball coach Linc Darner has announced the signing of guards Devin Thomas and Matty Bush to National Letters of Intent to play for the Pumas next season.
Thomas is a 2003 graduate of Pike High School in Indianapolis, and is wrapping up a year at Western Reserve Academy, a prep school in Hudson, Ohio.
He was a part of an undefeated Class 4A State Championship team at Pike in 2003, and the Red Devils were 24-4 and state runners-up in 2002. Pike was ranked third in the nation by USA Today in 2003.
At Western Reserve Academy, he averaged 19.3 points and 7.4 rebounds and led his team to a conference championship. He was an all-conference selection and Western Reserve's Most Valuable Player.
He is the son of Derrick and Sheila Thomas.
"Devin has the advantage of a year at prep school, which has allowed him to get more playing experience," Darner said. "He's played for winning programs, particularly at Pike, which is one of the top teams in Indiana. He'll fit in our system nicely. He can get to the basket and finish, and he's a big guard who can rebound for us.
"He understands the game, he's been well-coached in high school and in prep school, and should fit in really well here as a player."
Bush is a native of Valparaiso, Ind., where he attends Morgan Township High School. He has led the Fighting Cherokees to two straight Class A sectional championships as well as Porter County Conference championships in 2002 and 2004.
This season, he averaged 20.3 points per game and was named the PCC's Most Valuable Player. He was an All-State selection by Hoosier Basketball Magazine and an Academic All-State pick by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.
He is Morgan Township's career record holder in scoring (1,467 points) and three-point shots made (165). He is a three-time All-PCC selection and participated in the Hoosier Basketball Top 40 Workout this season.
He is the son of Matt and Janet Bush. Matt is the varsity head coach at Morgan Township.
"We're excited about Matty coming to play here," Darner commented. "He does the one thing we struggled in last year, and that is perimeter shooting. That's one area where we definitely need help. Another good thing about Matty is that he's been around basketball his whole life. He understands how to play the game and is a very hard worker. He should do well here.
"Both of these guys are outstanding basketball players, but they are also outstanding students. Not only will they do well athletically, but they will do very, very well here academically."
The Pumas finished 15-13 this season in Darner's second year as head coach.
