Cowboys Pick Up Four More Commits

ABILENE, Texas — Hardin-Simmons’ men’s basketball coach Craig Carse has added four more commitments to his 2009 recruiting class as Tyson Denton of Burnet, John Derr of Azle, Tanner Mitchell of Abilene Wylie and Jordan Scaff of Shallowater have all committed to go to Hardin-Simmons and play basketball next season.

“We are excited to get these four players, that add tremendous depth to our recruiting class,” said Carse. “We think that all four players have a future with us and we expect to see them come in and compete for playing time. All four are great students and come from great supportive families. We are excited about our recruiting class at this point.”

Denton, a 6-8 post, was a first-team all-district selection for former Cowboy basketball player Roy Kiser at Burnet High School. Denton averaged 11.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per contest and was an all-district selection for the second straight season.

“Tyson is an old-fashioned post player, who has a chance to really be a factor for us in the future. He has a nice touch around the basket, can rebound and block shots. He fits with what we look for in our system.”

Derr, a 6-3 shooting guard, is regarded as one of the top shooters in the state of Texas. He was twice the 6-4A MVP and was named to the Fort Worth Star Telegram Super Team as a senior at Azle High School. He was also selected all-region. He averaged 18 points and five rebounds per game.

“John is one of the top shooters in the state,” said Carse. “We are excited to get him and we think he can come right in and compete for time at the two spot. He can really shoot the basketball and that is something we were really looking for.”

Mitchell, a 5-8 point guard, joins teammates Ryan Carlson and Zach Rule in committing to the Cowboys. He averaged 8.1 points, 5.8 assists and 3.3 steals per game. He was a first-team all-district selection for the Bulldogs.

“Tanner was the point guard on a good team at Wylie,” said Carse. “He has a strong work ethic and we want him to develop into our point guard of the future. He is a determined young man and we think he has a huge upside.”

Scaff, a 6-7 forward, led Shallowater to the 2A State Tournament. He was named district MVP and was the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal 2A all-South Plains player of the year. Scaff averaged 19.5 points and 4.8 rebounds. He has been selected to play in the TABC all-state game.

“Jordan may be the most ready to make an immediate impact for us,” said Carse. “He can do it all. He shoots it well, rebounds, defends, is long and very skilled. We think he will be a perfect fit in our system.”

The Cowboys to this point have seven commitments for the 2009-10 season.


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