Spring Break
Kerwin snags five recruits for next year
Matt Nestor
Issue date: 6/27/02 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
To try and soften the blow of the large amount of losses to the Western Illinois Men's Basketball program, coach Jim Kerwin has recruited five players who will be counted on heavily from day one at WIU.
Kerwin was able to sign two high school players and three junior college players he thinks will contribute to the team right away.
"All five have a chance to come in because of the players we lost last year," Kerwin said.
The two high school players coming to Western are Dave Genslinger and Joe Brownfield.
Genslinger is a 6-foot, 9-inch forward who averaged 18 points and 3 blocks per game during his senior season.
After losing Jamel Richardson and Johnny Johnson to graduation and Ryan Shriver to transfer, as well as Karl Peterson, who will not play for personal reasons, Genslinger is expected to be a big part of the Leathernecks' plans.
"He's probably the best shot blocker we've had coming out of high school," Kerwin said. "Because of his size, it's important that he come in right away and play for us because we have a shortage on our front line."
Joining Genslinger out of high school is Joe Brownfield, a 6'1" guard who Kerwin said can handle the ball really well and runs the team very well as a point guard.
The biggest signing for the Leathernecks may have been junior college guard Ray Harris, out of California.
Kerwin said he is a very athletic guard who can play both spots well and shoots and handles the ball exceptionally well.
Kerwin added that with the loss of Brian Williams, Harris can expect to see a lot of time at the point.
The Leathernecks also added a couple Carters to help next years team.
Andre Carter, a 6'6" forward, and Bobby Carter, a 6'4" wing player, are both very athletic players according to Kerwin.
Andre Carter is also expected to come in and play right away. Kerwin said Andre is a very powerful inside player who is a good rebounder.
Bobby Carter will be in competition for the spot left open by Quinten Mitchell, who was also lost to graduation.
(Tyler Tingley, staff writer, also contributed to this story
Kerwin was able to sign two high school players and three junior college players he thinks will contribute to the team right away.
"All five have a chance to come in because of the players we lost last year," Kerwin said.
The two high school players coming to Western are Dave Genslinger and Joe Brownfield.
Genslinger is a 6-foot, 9-inch forward who averaged 18 points and 3 blocks per game during his senior season.
After losing Jamel Richardson and Johnny Johnson to graduation and Ryan Shriver to transfer, as well as Karl Peterson, who will not play for personal reasons, Genslinger is expected to be a big part of the Leathernecks' plans.
"He's probably the best shot blocker we've had coming out of high school," Kerwin said. "Because of his size, it's important that he come in right away and play for us because we have a shortage on our front line."
Joining Genslinger out of high school is Joe Brownfield, a 6'1" guard who Kerwin said can handle the ball really well and runs the team very well as a point guard.
The biggest signing for the Leathernecks may have been junior college guard Ray Harris, out of California.
Kerwin said he is a very athletic guard who can play both spots well and shoots and handles the ball exceptionally well.
Kerwin added that with the loss of Brian Williams, Harris can expect to see a lot of time at the point.
The Leathernecks also added a couple Carters to help next years team.
Andre Carter, a 6'6" forward, and Bobby Carter, a 6'4" wing player, are both very athletic players according to Kerwin.
Andre Carter is also expected to come in and play right away. Kerwin said Andre is a very powerful inside player who is a good rebounder.
Bobby Carter will be in competition for the spot left open by Quinten Mitchell, who was also lost to graduation.
(Tyler Tingley, staff writer, also contributed to this story
