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11-11-2004, 09:06 PM
Pennick, Sussenguth, Vaughan Sign Letters of Intent to North Dakota State
FARGO, N.D.--North Dakota State University head men’s basketball coach Tim Miles today announced the signing of three high school standouts.
Austin Pennick of Park Christian School in Moorhead, Minn.; Sam Sussenguth of Willmar (Minn.) High School; and Josh Vaughan of Braham (Minn.) High School have all signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball and continue their education at North Dakota State University.
Pennick is a 6-foot-3, 185-pound guard; Sussenguth is a 6-8, 210 forward; and Vaughan is a 6-4 guard. All three players signed on the first day of the early signing period, which will continue through next Wednesday, Nov. 17.
Pennick averaged 11.5 points, 3.8 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game as a junior for Park Christian. He had season-highs of 23 points, 9 assists, 12 rebounds and 9 steals. During the summer of 2004, he helped the Minnesota Glory Elite club team to a state championship.
A member of the Honor Society and an honor-roll student, Pennick plans to pursue an M.B.A. degree after his collegiate basketball career. He is the son of Koby and Sherlene Pennick, Fargo, N.D.
"Austin is an electric player whose development is just starting," Miles said. "His versatility on the perimeter is outstanding, as he can play either guard position and he is an excellent defender. Austin has the athleticism and commitment to have great success at the NCAA Division I level. Park Christian should be a lot of fun to watch this season for the local fans."
Sussenguth averaged 17.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.7 blocks and 1.2 steals per game for Willmar High School last season. He shot 58.9 percent from the field in helping the Cardinals to a 20-7 record and their second straight runner-up finish in Section 8.
An honorable mention all-state pick by the Associated Press, Sussenguth was Class 3A second-team all-state by the Minnesota Basketball News and has twice been named to the All-Central Lakes Conference team. He played AAU basketball for Minnesota Select during the summer. He is the son of Neil Sussenguth and Valerie Swanson.
Miles calls Sussenguth a tremendous post player. "He can face up and shoot, he drives well, and rebounds on both ends of the floor," Miles said. "His stock went up this summer as he competed well against players already committed to high major programs. Sam is a take-charge player whose work ethic is outstanding."
Vaughan averaged 14.7 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 blocks for Braham High School last season as the Bombers went 31-2 and won the Minnesota Class 2A championship. He was named to the all-state tournament team.
A four-year starter for the Bombers, Vaughan has been named all-conference twice, including one league MVP award. He was named all-state by the Minnesota Basketball News. He is on pace to finish as the school’s career leader in rebounds, assists and steals, and to finish second in career scoring.
Vaughan is a member of the National Honor Society. He also played football, where he was a three-year starter at quarterback and part of three conference championship teams.
"Josh understands winning basketball," Miles said. "He is able to take on any role necessary for his team to be successful. We have seen him to be the go-to guy, a set-up guy, or his team’s defensive stopper. He played on one state championship team last year and could very well play on another this season and his football team is in the state tournament right now. Josh knows winning."
Plans to redshirt these three players, if any, have not been announced. NDSU is redshirting five true freshmen this season with Division I tournament eligibility becoming a possibility for those players in 2008-09.
"Our staff feels great about this recruiting class as they will blend in well with last year’s recruits," Miles said. "These young men are excellent players who have great credentials. Their work ethic and competitiveness is why we know they will have a successful Division I experience at NDSU."
Miles directs much of the credit for NDSU’s latest freshmen classes to assistant coach Dave Richman, who joined the Bison prior to the 2003-04 season.
"Coach Dave Richman has coordinated our under-classmen recruiting efforts the last two years and is a big reason we have been able to land the caliber if players we have. Dave has a bright future in coaching."
North Dakota State will play at Drake on Saturday at 4 p.m. to close out its exhibition schedule. NDSU opens the regular season on Friday, Nov. 19, at Kansas State with an 8:30 p.m. tip-off.
FARGO, N.D.--North Dakota State University head men’s basketball coach Tim Miles today announced the signing of three high school standouts.
Austin Pennick of Park Christian School in Moorhead, Minn.; Sam Sussenguth of Willmar (Minn.) High School; and Josh Vaughan of Braham (Minn.) High School have all signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball and continue their education at North Dakota State University.
Pennick is a 6-foot-3, 185-pound guard; Sussenguth is a 6-8, 210 forward; and Vaughan is a 6-4 guard. All three players signed on the first day of the early signing period, which will continue through next Wednesday, Nov. 17.
Pennick averaged 11.5 points, 3.8 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game as a junior for Park Christian. He had season-highs of 23 points, 9 assists, 12 rebounds and 9 steals. During the summer of 2004, he helped the Minnesota Glory Elite club team to a state championship.
A member of the Honor Society and an honor-roll student, Pennick plans to pursue an M.B.A. degree after his collegiate basketball career. He is the son of Koby and Sherlene Pennick, Fargo, N.D.
"Austin is an electric player whose development is just starting," Miles said. "His versatility on the perimeter is outstanding, as he can play either guard position and he is an excellent defender. Austin has the athleticism and commitment to have great success at the NCAA Division I level. Park Christian should be a lot of fun to watch this season for the local fans."
Sussenguth averaged 17.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.7 blocks and 1.2 steals per game for Willmar High School last season. He shot 58.9 percent from the field in helping the Cardinals to a 20-7 record and their second straight runner-up finish in Section 8.
An honorable mention all-state pick by the Associated Press, Sussenguth was Class 3A second-team all-state by the Minnesota Basketball News and has twice been named to the All-Central Lakes Conference team. He played AAU basketball for Minnesota Select during the summer. He is the son of Neil Sussenguth and Valerie Swanson.
Miles calls Sussenguth a tremendous post player. "He can face up and shoot, he drives well, and rebounds on both ends of the floor," Miles said. "His stock went up this summer as he competed well against players already committed to high major programs. Sam is a take-charge player whose work ethic is outstanding."
Vaughan averaged 14.7 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 blocks for Braham High School last season as the Bombers went 31-2 and won the Minnesota Class 2A championship. He was named to the all-state tournament team.
A four-year starter for the Bombers, Vaughan has been named all-conference twice, including one league MVP award. He was named all-state by the Minnesota Basketball News. He is on pace to finish as the school’s career leader in rebounds, assists and steals, and to finish second in career scoring.
Vaughan is a member of the National Honor Society. He also played football, where he was a three-year starter at quarterback and part of three conference championship teams.
"Josh understands winning basketball," Miles said. "He is able to take on any role necessary for his team to be successful. We have seen him to be the go-to guy, a set-up guy, or his team’s defensive stopper. He played on one state championship team last year and could very well play on another this season and his football team is in the state tournament right now. Josh knows winning."
Plans to redshirt these three players, if any, have not been announced. NDSU is redshirting five true freshmen this season with Division I tournament eligibility becoming a possibility for those players in 2008-09.
"Our staff feels great about this recruiting class as they will blend in well with last year’s recruits," Miles said. "These young men are excellent players who have great credentials. Their work ethic and competitiveness is why we know they will have a successful Division I experience at NDSU."
Miles directs much of the credit for NDSU’s latest freshmen classes to assistant coach Dave Richman, who joined the Bison prior to the 2003-04 season.
"Coach Dave Richman has coordinated our under-classmen recruiting efforts the last two years and is a big reason we have been able to land the caliber if players we have. Dave has a bright future in coaching."
North Dakota State will play at Drake on Saturday at 4 p.m. to close out its exhibition schedule. NDSU opens the regular season on Friday, Nov. 19, at Kansas State with an 8:30 p.m. tip-off.