KIRKLAND, Wash. – Northwest University men’s basketball coach John Van Dyke announced the signing of four student-athletes for the coming 2008-09 season.
Greg Spurgetis (Spokane, WA), a 6’4” wing, a transfer from the University of Montana where he played the past three seasons and has one year of eligibility remaining. In the 2006-07 season, he was voted the co-recipient of the Naseby Rhinehart Award (Most Inspirational) for the Grizzlies. Previous to attending Montana, Greg spent one year at the U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School where he lettered and was named team captain. Spurgetis attended Lewis & Clark High School in Spokane where he was named to the All-Greater Spokane League first team, team captain and the team’s most valuable player in his senior year.
Blake Solomon, 6’2”, 185 lb. guard (Kent, WA) played at Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake. In 2006, Solomon led the NWAACC in free throw percentage with a 91.3% average, was 4th in the NWAACC in scoring with a 21.5 point average and shot 48.8% from the 3-point line. Solomon was named first team, All-Eastern Region at Big Bend CC and helped lead his team to a 21-10 season in 2007. Blake is a graduate of Kentwood High School in Kent, WA and was a member of the 2004 State 4A championship team. In his three varsity seasons with Kentwood, the Conquerors won a total of 76 games while dropping only 11, appeared in two WIAA 4A state tournaments and topped his career with the state title in ’04 and a 26-2 record.
Daley Landon, 5’11”, guard (Waterville, WA) is also from Big Bend Community College and a former teammate of Blake Solomon. An outstanding shooter, this past 2007-08 season Landon was 3rd in the NWAACC in scoring with a 24.8 point average and named first team All-NWAACC. While playing at Waterville High in eastern Washington, Landon led his team in scoring his sophomore (22.6 ppg), junior (25.0 ppg) and senior years (22 ppg). Landon was all-league and league MVP three consecutive years. Daley was also named WIAA all-state honorable mention as a sophomore and first team B all-state in his junior and senior year and made two appearances in the State B and 2B tournaments.
Jason Waltman, 6’7”, 225 lbs., forward (Monroe, WA) will be an incoming freshman this fall for the Eagles having completed his high school career at Monroe High School. Monroe High finished the season with a 13-7 record and a third place finish in the WESCO 4A North Division. Waltman scored 262 points averaging 13.2 points per game with game highs of 27 points in a 57-46 win over Oak Harbor and 25 points in a 69-46 victory over Cascade High School. Jason was named second team, All-WESCO Conference North. Waltman is currently competing in the hurdles for the Bearcats track and field team.
“We are pleased and excited with the signing of these four outstanding student-athletes,” commented Coach Van Dyke. “They not only bring a high level of skill to the Eagle team, but they are all great fits for the university and will be outstanding leaders and members of the student body,” Van Dyke continued. “All four are known for their work ethic and selflessness which will fit right in with our returning players and blend right in with the team. When we add Rich Skillman from Nooksack Valley into the equation, things are looking good for the future of Eagle basketball and Northwest University.”