The Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team added its final signee Tuesday with Blake Ruiz, a 6-5 guard from Beatrice, Neb., to give the Bearcats a total of four players for the upcoming 2012-13 season.

Ruiz helped lead Beatrice High to the Class B Nebraska State Tournament in each of his four years including a runner-up finish as a freshman and two third place finishes. He helped the Orangemen to a 22-3 record as a senior, averaging 14 points per game and eight rebounds.

The Second Team All-State guard was not only a three-year starter for the Orangemen hoops squad, but was the leading receiver on the Beatrice football team. Ruiz was also selected to play in the Blue-Gray High School All Star Football Classic held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Fla. in January.

Northwest is coming off a 22-7 campaign that saw the Bearcats claim the MIAA regular season championship and a berth in the NCAA South Central Region Tournament. The Bearcats also placed four players on the All-MIAA squad as third-year head coach Ben McCollum was named Coach of the Year.

— NWMSU Sports Information —