Dixie State Signing Update
Dixie State College Asst. Coach Ryan Burke contacted JUCO Junction recently to let us know of where a trio of Rebel sophomores are headed next fall.
Since our last update on Terren Harbut and Mike Hall, three other Dixie players have taken the plunge and signed with Division I programs.
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Steve Castleberry, a 6-10 center from Mullica Hill, N.J. and Marist College, has inked with Rider. Ironically, Castleberry is headed back to the same conference he came from, as the Broncos are a member of the Metro Atlantic.
Castleberry, who enjoyed a pair of breakout performances last month at the NJCAA Tournament in Kansas, averaged four points and 3.7 rebounds per game for the Rebels. He shot 57 percent from the floor and 70 percent from the free throw line.
In addition to four Dixie sophomores, the Rebels are also losing a pair of freshmen qualifiers this spring.
Johnny Mathies, the quick and offensive minded 5-11 point guard from Louisville, Ky., has signed with Creighton, according to Burke.
Mathies started just five of 36 games for Dixie, but he provided valuable quickness and offensive punch off the bench for the Rebels. He averaged 7.7 points and 1.8 assists per game, shooting 44 percent from the floor and 40 percent from beyond the three point arc.
Mathies will have three years of eligibility at Creighton.
Nick Hammer, a lanky 6-5 swingman from St. George, has signed with Utah State. However, Hammer plans on taking a two year sabbatical away from college and basketball while he fulfills an LDS Church sponsored mission.
He is expected to enroll at Utah State as a sophomore for the 2005-2006 school year. Once he does, he will have three years of eligibility with the Aggies.
Hammer, a lefty, was Dixie's top threat from three point land in 2002-2003. He averaged 11.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, connecting on 40 percent (72/179) of his three point tries.