New Benedictine College head men’s basketball coach Ryan Moody announced the addition of five new players to his 2011-12 roster on Friday. Combo guard John Anaekwe (St James Academy, Lenexa), Shooting Guard Brett Fisher (Blue Valley Northwest, Overland Park), Post Player Jallen Messersmith (Blue Springs High School, Blue Springs, Mo.), Combo Guard Luke Norville (Lewis Central High School, Council Bluffs, Iowa), and Wing Dean Tiwald (Mount Michael High School, Elkhorn, Neb.)
“These five young men are a great fit for our program and Benedictine College,” Moody said. “All five players come from winning high school programs and all five have excelled in the classroom. They bring talent, hard-nosed competitiveness and unselfish ‘team first’ attitudes. That is the culture we are creating in our locker room and we are excited to add them to the Benedictine College family.”
John Anaekwe (6-0) is an athletic combo guard who can play multiple positions. He helped lead his team to a 14-8 overall record his senior and averaged 17.1 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals per game. Anaekwe shot 48% from the field and 68% from the free throw line. He was selected Johnson County Sun – All Sun Boys Basketball Third Team, Shawnee Mission West Vikings Classic First Team and was selected to play in the 33rd Annual All-Star Basketball Classic in Hutchinson, Kan.
Brett Fisher (6-0) is an outstanding shooter from the perimeter who can also attack the basket and defend. He helped lead his team to a second consecutive Kansas 6A Runner-up finish and a 23-2 overall record. Fisher averaged 15 points, 2 assists and 2 rebounds per game while shooting 55% from the field, 53% from the 3pt line and 76% from the free throw line. Brett was selected the Kansas 6A All-State First Team, the Johnson County Sun – All Sun Boys Basketball First Team and the KC Metro Second Team. He was voted the East Kansas League MVP, and Johnson County Sun – All Sun Player of the Year. Fisher is also a McDonalds HS All American Nominee and was selected to play in the Greater Kansas City Basketball Coaches Association All-Star game.
Jallen Messersmith (6-7) is a long athletic post player who can alter a game with his ability to block shots and attack the glass on both ends. Jallen averaged 12.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 5.5 blocks per game. Messersmith was selected to the Suburban Big 6 All-Conference First Team and he was voted to the All-Tournament Team for the Carl Junction Tournament. Jallen set the Single Season Blocks Record at Blue Springs High School and was voted MVP, Mr. Hustle, Mr. Defense and Mr. Basketball at Blue Springs High School.
Luke Norville (6-2) is a strong and athletic combo guard. He has great vision and leadership and brings the ability to attack off the dribble and shoot from the perimeter. Norville helped lead his team to a 15-8 overall record and a 48-19 record as a starter the last three years at Lewis-Central. He averaged 17.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. He scored 980 total points in his career. Luke was named the Hawkeye 10 All-Conference First Team, the Council Bluffs Iowa All-City First Team, the Omaha World Herald All-Western Iowa Team, and the Iowa Basketball Coaches All-Star Team.
Dean Tiwald (6-4) is a multiple position wing who has the strength and athleticism to score and defend inside and the ability to shoot and attack from the perimeter. Dean helped lead his team to a 15-8 record while averaging 18.6 points per game. Dean was named to the Nebraska Class B All-State Second Team, the Omaha World Herald All-Omaha Second Team and the Centennial All-Conference First Team.
The Benedictine College women’s basketball team took to the road on Tuesday night falling to the College of St. Mary 77-70 after CSM converted 22 of 31 from the free throw line in the second half.