SoCalHoops Recruiting News

WAC: Lousiana Tech Signs 2 Guys
You've Never Heard Of--(Nov. 15, 2001)

The WAC is one of those weird conferences which has teams in it that aren't from the West at all, that is unless you consider the State of Louisiana as being part of the "western" U.S.  We haven't had the need to look at a map lately, but the only thing that Louisiana is "west" of is Mississippi, Florida and the Atlantic Ocean....And Louisiana Tech is about as far as you can get from the Western part of the U.S.....but the Bulldogs are still part of the Western Athletic Conference, or the "WAC" for short.  Yesterday they signed a couple of players we've never seen before and likely no one on the west coast has ever heard about.  Here's the official press release:

Bulldogs Sign Two Recruits

The Louisiana Tech men's basketball program continued its successful recruiting efforts with the addition of two outstanding players on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period. The Bulldogs added the services of power forward Jeremy Johnston and shooting guard Eric Woods. "They are both good players," said Louisiana Tech head coach Keith Richard. "These signees will definitely add to the nucleus of players that we have returning next year."

Johnston, a 6-8 forward from Airline High School in Shreveport, La., is considered among the top post players in the state. He averaged 19.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game as a junior and was named first team all-parish, all-district and all-city last season. He was also named high school All-American honorable mention by Street & Smith Magazine. "It was a place I felt at home," Johnston said, referring to the Bulldog program. "It's close enough where my parents can see me play and it's a very big conference. I'm looking forward to the challenges that await me at Louisiana Tech."

"Jeremy is a big kid inside who we believe is one of the better players in North Louisiana," Richard said. "He should fit right in with our other big men. He really knows how to play in the low post."

Woods, a 6-4 guard from Leesville High School in Leesville, La., is also considered one of the top prospects in Louisiana. Woods was named the Most Valuable Player at the 4A State Tournament last season while

being named first team All-State. He led his team to the state championship by averaging 21.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game his junior year. Like Johnston, he too was named high school All-American honorable mention by Street & Smith.

"The reason I chose Tech was because the honesty and loyalty I got from the coaches and players," Woods said. "The school was great and the facilities are top of the line."

"Eric is a shooting guard that our staff is high on," Richard said. "We feel that he can not only help us next year but in the years to come. He could be our shooting guard of the future."

 
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