TIGERS RELEASE MEN'S BASKETBALL RECRUITING CLASS

August 8, 2006

Courtesy of James Wagner, Holy Family SID

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Holy Family University men's basketball coach Alfred Johnson has announced his recruiting class for the 2006-07 season.

This recruiting class will add depth and talent to a team that went 17-14 last season and advanced to the semifinals of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference playoffs. The team also was ranked as high as 12th in Division II during the season.

The lone freshman on the squad will be Chris Cowan from Cherokee High School. A native of Marlton, N.J., Cowan led his team to a 21-7 record last year and a spot in the NJ State Sectional Quarterfinals. In the opening round of the NJ State Playoffs, Cowan had 19 points in a 63-48 win over Toms River North.

"Cowan is a young point guard who can hit the jumper and dish the ball," Johnson said.

The next five are all transfers who will add experience to a squad that lost several key players from the 2005-06 squad.

Ceazer Johnson comes to Holy Family from Southern University Community College in Shreveport, LA. Hailing from Monroe, LA, Johnson was an all-district selection at Richwood High School in Monroe in 2004.

"C.J. is a wing player who can flat out play," said Johnson. "He can score in bunches and has the ability to simply jump over any opponent." He will enter as a sophomore and have three years of eligibility remaining.

Next up is David Kellstrom, a transfer from Northern Virginia Community College and a native of La Plata, Maryland.

Described by Johnson as an athletic rebounder and defender, the 6-8 forward averaged 17.2 points per game and 10.3 rebounds per game last season. He also shot 59.5 percent from the field and averaged 23 minutes a game.

"David is a post player who is full of energy," Johnson said. "He is very athletic and he enjoys playing defense. His ability to run the floor and rebound will be vital to our success."

Bruce Davenport joins Holy Family from St. Mary's College in Texas. A high school teammate of current Tiger Ryan Lancaster, the Egg Harbor Township, NJ, native appeared in nine games for the Rattlers last season, scoring 1.8 points per game. "He is a big wing, who can score, dish and defend," Johnson said. "He is a slasher with a medium game."

A local product will be joining the team this season, as Philadelphia native Quincy Marshall transfers from Delaware State. A 6-0 point guard, Marshall played in 21 games for the Hornets during the 2004-05 season, which saw Delaware State advance to the NCAA Division I tournament before falling to Duke.

"He (Marshall) is a super floor leader," Johnson said. "His ability and desire to defend 94 feet will become a staple of our defense."

Another Philadelphia native who is returning home is the final transfer, London Houston. Houston, a graduate of Friends Central, transfers to Holy Family from California University of Pennsylvania. Last season, Houston played in 28 games, starting three for the Vulcans. He averaged three points per game and had 3.1 rebounds per contest.

"London is an excellent shot blocker who can score, rebound and run the floor," Johnson said. "He can also defend any position along the front line."

Also joining the team this year is senior Raheem Scott. Scott, who was a redshirt last season, is a 6-2 transfer from Coppin State. While at Coppin State, Scott averaged 7.9 points per game and ranked fourth on the squad in rebounds at 4.7 per game. He also led the squad with three assists per game, earning all-MEAC second-team honors in 2004-05.

"We are very excited about the addition of Scott," Johnson noted. "He is a superb basketball player with All-American potential at the Division II level."

Holy Family opens its season on Saturday, November 18 against UMass-Lowell in the University of Bridgeport tournament.