Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Seawolves add size up front with Peterson

ANCHORAGE (Sept. 21) – Alaska Anchorage men’s basketball head coach Rusty Osborne added more bulk to his 2010-11 roster on Tuesday with the addition of Washington native Matt Peterson to the Seawolf lineup.


A 6-7, 265-pound center, Peterson comes to UAA after averaging 11.9 points and 6.0 rebounds per game as a sophomore at Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, Wash., last year. He also shot 51 percent from the floor, posted a season-high of 32 points in a February victory over Bellevue CC, and earned a spot in the NWAACC all-star game in the spring.

 

“We are very pleased that Matt has become a Seawolf. He adds more size and bulk to our front line and we expect him to battle for playing time with our other talented front court players,” said Osborne, who begins his seventh season at the Seawolf helm this fall.

 

As a prep, Peterson starred at Eisenhower High School in Yakima, Wash., where he helped his school to its highest-ever finish – 4th place – at the 2007 WIAA State Tournament as a junior in 2007.

 

“Despite his mass, Matt has very good athleticism and the ability to get fouled and the other team in foul trouble,” Osborne added. “His challenge will be getting himself into better physical condition so that he can play longer minutes at a higher level. Matt, Taylor Rohde, Liam Gibcus, Casey Robinson, Chris Weitzel and Jeremy Jones give us significantly more size and depth than we have had in the recent path, which should help us withstand those times during the year when injuries affect your lineup.”

 

Peterson brings the total number of newcomers to eight for this year’s roster, joining freshmen Kyle Fossman (6-1, 190, G, Haines [Alaska Gatorade Player of the Year]) and Travis Thompson (6-0, 175, G, Anchorage/Dimond HS), JC transfers Mario Gill (6-2, 190, G, Portland, Ore./Wilson HS/Eastern Arizona College), Jeremy Jones (6-7, 190, F, Gresham, Ore./Barlow HS/Mt. Hood CC), Chris Plooy (6-5, 190, F, Anchorage/Dimond HS/Green River [Wash.] CC) and Chris Weitzel (6-7, 245, F/C, Gresham, Ore./Mt. Hood CC), and Division I transfer Taylor Rohde (6-9, 250, F, Phoenix, Ariz./Pinnacle HS/Arizona State).

 

The Seawolves will also be bolstered by the return of junior guards Lonnie Ridgeway and Phillip Hearn, who are back after taking one and two seasons, respectively, away from the program.

 

--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

 

No comments: