Ridgeway, Hearn rejoin Seawolf men's hoops program

ANCHORAGE (Sept. 9) – A pair of familiar faces are the latest additions to the 2010-11 Alaska Anchorage men’s basketball roster as head coach Rusty Osborne announced Thursday that guards Lonnie Ridgeway and Phillip Hearn have rejoined the Seawolf program.

 

Ridgeway, who played in 60 games with the Seawolves in the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons, will be eligible to play following the Fall 2010 semester, contingent upon completing a required number of credit hours. The former Alaska 3A Player of the Year at Heritage Christian will have a year and a half of eligibility remaining.

 

 “We are excited that Lonnie is back in school and part of the program,” Osborne said. “After many changes in his life, he is back on track to finish his degree. Despite rumors to the contrary, Lonnie and I have always been in agreement on his plans to take a year off and resume his education this fall. Unfortunately, he does have some credits he must complete before he can regain his eligibility to compete in games. During fall semester, he will be able to practice and, upon successful completion of his courses, be able to compete in late December.”

 

The 6-3, 200-pounder was UAA’s fourth-leading scorer and rebounder as a sophomore two years ago, averaging 9.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Ridgeway was also a key reserve on the Seawolves’ 2007-08 Final 4 squad, averaging 2.3 points and 1.3 rebounds as a redshirt freshman.

 

“I am extremely proud of the mature decisions Lonnie has made over the past 18 months in all aspects of his life and look forward to helping him achieve his goals both on and off the floor,” Osborne added. “From a basketball standpoint, he gives us a very experienced, athletic wing who has had tremendous success in our league. Although he only started 11 of 29 games as a sophomore, he played starter’s minutes throughout the year. He has come back bigger, stronger and more mature. Once he shakes the rust off, he gives us another dangerous weapon on the perimeter.”

Meanwhile, Hearn – a former West Anchorage High School standout – returns to the Seawolves after two years away from the program.

The 6-6, 200-pounder redshirted with the Seawolves in 2007-08 before transferring briefly to fellow NCAA Div. II program Christian Brothers (Tenn.) in 2008-09. He returned to Anchorage last year and attended classes at UAA, leaving him with two years of eligibility beginning this fall.

 

“We are also thrilled that Phillip has elected to return to the basketball court,” Osborne said. “He and I have visited often in the past about him returning and felt like this was the time when he could balance his academic and athletic responsibilities. He is a tremendous student and has been working hard to regain and improve his on-court skills.”

Hearn was a first-team all-state selection for West Anchorage in 2006-07, averaging 21 points and 11 rebounds. As a junior, he helped the Eagles to their second straight 4A state title with averages of 13.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

“Phillip is a very mature young man who understands what we expect in the program,” Osborne said. “Hopefully he can get back his rhythm quickly. Regardless, he has been a pleasure to have back and is a good role model for our younger players.”

 

--GoSeawolves.com--

 

Nate Sagan
Sports Information Director

University of Alaska Anchorage
3211 Providence Dr. / Anchorage, AK 99508
(907) 786-1295 / Fax: (907) 563-4565
GoSeawolves.com