Men's Basketball 5/3/2012 11:03:00 AM Tyler Madsen, Truman Athletics

Woodley Adds Three to 2012 Class

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - - Truman men's basketball head coach Matt Woodley and his staff have announced the signing of three high school seniors for next season's squad, bringing the total of incoming freshmen to six.

Jaylon Jones, Kiefer Starbird and Connor Erickson will join the Bulldog program as freshmen for the 2012-13 season, joining three Iowa signees Woodley inked during the fall recruiting period.

Jaylon Jones (6-foot-4, forward; Katy, Texas; Seven Lakes HS)

Jones, the all-time leading scorer at Seven Lakes, joins the Bulldog program after earning district offensive player of the year honors as a senior. He scored more than 1,500 career points and helped the Spartans average 30 wins per season during his four years as a starter. He played on two regional qualifying teams and also received all-district honors.

“Jaylon comes from a great high school and will add immediate depth to our front line,” Woodley said. “He has a great ability to get to the basket and score. He is a proven winner with a solid low-post game, so we're excited for him to join our program.”

Kiefer Starbird (6-foot-9, forward/center; Bolivar, Mo.; Bolivar HS)
Starbird averaged a double-double during his senior season at Bolivar High School, scoring 11 points

and grabbing 10 rebounds per game for the Liberators. He received second-team all-conference accolades following a senior year that saw him shoot at a 65% clip from the field.

“Kiefer has tremendous upside, as his best basketball is ahead of him,” Woodley said. “He comes from a great lineage and is continuing to grow. He has a chance to be a really great player for our program.”

Connor Erickson (6-foot-8, forward; Overland Park, Kan.; Blue Valley North HS)

Erickson helped guide Blue Valley North to a third-place finish in the Kansas 6A state tournament as a senior, averaging 6.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. He shot 52% from the field and was an honorable mention all-EKL pick. Erickson also played soccer and was a goalkeeper.

“Connor is in the mold of current Bulldog Mike Carlson,” Woodley said. “He is another guy whose best basketball is ahead of him. He played on a great high school team and is a very good athlete.”

The trio joins Iowa guards Chad Gutschenritter (GUT-schen-writer), Cole Myers and Cory Myers as part of the 2012 recruiting class. Gutschenritter became Waukee (Iowa) High School's career assists, steals and free throw leader en route to being named second-team all-state for Iowa class 4A.

Cole Myers was named first-team all-state and first-team all-conference, while his brother, Cory, rebounded from an ACL injury that sidelined him during his junior season to earn second-team all-state and first-team all-conference honors. All three players led their respective teams to the state tournament. The initial November release can be found here.

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