April 22, 2008

Lenoir-Rhyne Men’s Basketball Adds Three For The 2008-09 Season

Trio includes Clemson transfer and former Newton-Conover standout Julius Powell

Hickory, N.C. – Lenoir-Rhyne College Head Men's Basketball Coach John Lentz has announced the addition of three players to the squad for the 2008-09 season.

The Bears add Julius Powell (Newton, N.C./Clemson Univ.), Jeff Thomas (Durham, N.C./Northern Durham HS) and Jon Hathcock (Concord, N.C./Northwest Cabarrus HS).

Powell (6-7, 220) has played two years at Clemson University under Head Coach Oliver Purnell. Powell’s best season came his freshman year in 2005-06, when he averaged 5.5 points per game while making 11 starts in 32 contests.

While at Newton-Conover under Head Coach Steve Litton, Powell scored 2,424 points during his prep career and was ranked among the top 100 high school seniors in the country. Powell was also a four-time Midwest 2A All-Conference honoree and was the league MVP in his junior season. Powell redshirted in 2007-08 and will have two years of eligibility left.

Thomas (6-8, 220) averaged 15.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.2 blocks per game senior season at Northern Durham. As a junior, he was a first-team all-conference honoree after averaging 20.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.2 blocks per contest. Thomas was also named team MVP and was runner-up for league player of the year in 2006-07.

“We are thrilled to have signed Jeff (Thomas) at Lenoir-Rhyne,” said Lentz. “He has very good skill and has the unique ability to score inside and on the perimeter.”

Hathcock (5-11, 170) averaged 18.0 points, 5.3 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game in leading the Northwest Cabarrus to a 23-6 record and its first conference regular season title in 21 years. For his efforts, Hathcock was named Northwest Piedmont 3A Conference and Cabarrus County Player Of The Year. Hathcock, a 1,000-point scorer in high school, was also a two-time all-league honoree and a first-team all-district selection.

“Jon (Hathcock) will provide great depth at the point guard position,” said Lentz. “His ability to shoot and create for others will allow him to fit into our unselfish team play. The one thing we noticed when recruiting Jon (Hathcock) was his intense work ethic and that is key for us.”

Lenoir-Rhyne finished last season with a 23-7 record and captured a share of the 2007-08 South Atlantic Conference Regular Season Championship. The Bears also advanced to the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Regional semifinals.