Orr Inks 3 in early signing period

Coach Orr announced yesterday that we have three signees in the early signing period. I believe that each of these was announced here and elsewhere as verbals, but they are coming now.

Let's take a look:

Dee Brown:

Brown, a 6-2 guard, is currently in his senior year at Country Day High School. He is the fourth-ranked senior point-guard in the state of Michigan, according to PrepSpotlight magazine. Brown, who can play both guard positions, helped Country Day win the Class B state title in 2006-07, scoring 22 points in a 66-61 victory over East Grand Rapids in the championship game. He led Country Day in scoring, with nearly 17 points per game, last season.

"Dee is a versatile combo guard, who will add toughness," said Orr. "He is multi-talented -- he can shoot it, he can pass it -- and is a tough competitor who can make plays from either the one or the two-guard position.

You have to like the looks of this player. Versatile, a PG, plays on a championship team, one of the top players in Michigan. I assume he handles the ball well at the point. To me, this kid screams All-MAC right off the bat.

Austin Calhoun:

Calhoun, a 6-7 forward, is currently in his senior year at Southfield High School. He helped his team to a 14-8 overall record and a berth in the district finals a year ago, averaging a double-double.

"Austin is an athletic young forward," said Orr. "He is very skilled, with a ton of potential, and can shoot the 3.

Obviously, fewer accolades about Calhoun. Still, he's got the right size if he is athletic, then we need players like this. Also, I'm not aware of us missing too often on Detroit players once LaMonta Stone arrived.

Scott Thomas

Thomas, a 6-6 forward, is a senior at Buckeye Valley High School. He averaged 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists per game en route to third-team All-Ohio honors last year, helping his team to a 17-5 mark. Thomas has surpassed 1,000 career points, 300 rebounds and 200 assists entering his senior season.

"Scott is a very athletic wing who is in constant motion," said Orr. "He can really run the floor, and is a very good finisher on the break.

Again, read the comments about Coach Orr. You can see what types of player we are after.

I'm encouraged. Of course, all recruits look good on paper. But, I think there is energy and momentum (if only a little) to the program that we haven't seen in a while.

Hoopsters play Morehead State at home today. Wish I could be there. In the meantime, we beat Morehead last year, so I'd like to think we could win Coach Orr's AA opener.