Yellowjackets Announce First Four Basketball Signings (April 17, 2003)

BILLINGS, MT – MSU Billings head basketball coach Craig Carse announced Thursday that he has received three national letters of intent and a commitment from a junior college player for the 2003-2004 season.  The Yellowjackets, 18-9 last season, graduated three seniors from the 2003 squad.

Carse said his top recruit, junior Trae Fortier from Lancaster, Calif., has committed to the Yellowjackets.  The 6-foot-7, 225 pound forward played for Antelope Valley College last year where he averaged 11 points and nine rebounds per game.  AVC was 29-3 overall last year.  Fortier was also being recruited by West Region rivals Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State-San Bernardino and Seattle Pacific.

Carse also announced that three high school seniors have signed national letters of intent to attend MSU Billings.  Two California players, Justin Hynes from Upland High School and Jonathan Wiley from Mira Costa High School, committed to the Jackets.  Hynes is a 6-7, 228 pound forward who averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds a game to lead Upland H.S. to a 20-8 record last year.  Wiley is a 6-6, 190 pound guard who averaged 21.5 points and nine rebounds a game in leading Mira Costa HS to a 21-7 record.  Both players were McDonald’s All-America nominees.

Also signing with the Yellowjackets is Derek Taylor from Lewistown, Mont.  Taylor is a 6-2, 198 pound point guard who was a Class A All-State selection after leading Fergus High School to the state tournament last year.  He averaged 13.4 points and 2.7 assists per game for the Eagles.