Griz basketball team signs two prep standouts
11/15/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The University of Montana Grizzly basketball team has signed two high school standouts to National Letters of Intent, announced second-year UM head coach Wayne Tinkle.
Joining the Griz program next season are guard Shawn Stockton from Spokane, Wash., and forward Mathias Ward from Gig Harbor, Wash. The pair signed early National Letters of Intent to play for the Grizzlies yesterday.
"We are very excited about these two players," Tinkle said. "Probably the most intriguing thing about both of them is just how tough of competitors they are."
Stockton is a 6-1, 185-pound point guard at Ferris High School in Spokane, where his 2006-07 team had a perfect 29-0 record en route to the state 4A championship with a 68-61 win over Kentridge High School.
Stockton averaged 12.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.6 steals a game last season for the Saxons and head coach Don Van Lierop. He shot 55 percent from the field and 41 percent from 3-point range.
"Shawn Stockton, is a six-foot-one guard from my alma mater, Ferris High School," Tinkle said. "Last year Ferris went 29-0 and won the state 4A championship and he was named the MVP of the state tournament. He is also a wide receiver for the Saxons, who are currently in the state football (quarterfinals) playoffs.
"Shawn is the nephew of John Stockton and his cousin Houston (Stockton) is on the football team here," Tinkle said. "He comes from an outstanding family. He is a tough, hard-nosed, competitive point guard, which is something we haven't had; a true, prototypical point guard. He's going to bring a lot to the table right away."
Stockton was named all-league both ways in football this season. He also plays baseball (shortstop and pitcher).
Shawn's parents are Steve and Mary Ann Stockton of Spokane. He said he will more than likely major in business.
"When I came on my official visit I liked everything about Montana and the Grizzlies a lot," Stockton said via a phone interview. "I really liked the coaches, and it just felt like it would be a good fit."
Ward is a 6-7, 215-pounder who averaged 16.0 points and 9.0 rebounds last season for the Tides, who were 15-11 last year. His high school basketball coach is Lyle McIntosh.
Ward has played at the varsity level since his freshman season and was voted as a team captain this year as a senior.
"Mathias Ward is a 6-7, 6-8 player who can play the three or four," Tinkle said. "He is very good around the basket. He has great footwork and is very intelligent player. He can also step out and shoot the three.
"Mathias is a great, great competitor, and we are thrilled about his potential here as a Grizzly," Tinkle said. "He also comes from a great family and is an outstanding addition to our program."
"Montana just seemed like a really good school, and I have heard a lot of good things about the Grizzly athletic programs too," Ward said via phone Thursday afternoon. "It just seemed like a really good fit for me."
Mathias' parents are Stephanie and Brian Ward of Gig Harbor. He said he plans to major in business.
Tinkle said he does not anticipate signing any additional players in the near future.
Joining the Griz program next season are guard Shawn Stockton from Spokane, Wash., and forward Mathias Ward from Gig Harbor, Wash. The pair signed early National Letters of Intent to play for the Grizzlies yesterday.
"We are very excited about these two players," Tinkle said. "Probably the most intriguing thing about both of them is just how tough of competitors they are."
Stockton is a 6-1, 185-pound point guard at Ferris High School in Spokane, where his 2006-07 team had a perfect 29-0 record en route to the state 4A championship with a 68-61 win over Kentridge High School.
Stockton averaged 12.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.6 steals a game last season for the Saxons and head coach Don Van Lierop. He shot 55 percent from the field and 41 percent from 3-point range.
"Shawn Stockton, is a six-foot-one guard from my alma mater, Ferris High School," Tinkle said. "Last year Ferris went 29-0 and won the state 4A championship and he was named the MVP of the state tournament. He is also a wide receiver for the Saxons, who are currently in the state football (quarterfinals) playoffs.
"Shawn is the nephew of John Stockton and his cousin Houston (Stockton) is on the football team here," Tinkle said. "He comes from an outstanding family. He is a tough, hard-nosed, competitive point guard, which is something we haven't had; a true, prototypical point guard. He's going to bring a lot to the table right away."
Stockton was named all-league both ways in football this season. He also plays baseball (shortstop and pitcher).
Shawn's parents are Steve and Mary Ann Stockton of Spokane. He said he will more than likely major in business.
"When I came on my official visit I liked everything about Montana and the Grizzlies a lot," Stockton said via a phone interview. "I really liked the coaches, and it just felt like it would be a good fit."
Ward is a 6-7, 215-pounder who averaged 16.0 points and 9.0 rebounds last season for the Tides, who were 15-11 last year. His high school basketball coach is Lyle McIntosh.
Ward has played at the varsity level since his freshman season and was voted as a team captain this year as a senior.
"Mathias Ward is a 6-7, 6-8 player who can play the three or four," Tinkle said. "He is very good around the basket. He has great footwork and is very intelligent player. He can also step out and shoot the three.
"Mathias is a great, great competitor, and we are thrilled about his potential here as a Grizzly," Tinkle said. "He also comes from a great family and is an outstanding addition to our program."
"Montana just seemed like a really good school, and I have heard a lot of good things about the Grizzly athletic programs too," Ward said via phone Thursday afternoon. "It just seemed like a really good fit for me."
Mathias' parents are Stephanie and Brian Ward of Gig Harbor. He said he plans to major in business.
Tinkle said he does not anticipate signing any additional players in the near future.
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