Ball State announced the signing on Wednesday of three highschool seniors to play for the Cardinals beginning in 2005 --Maurice Acker, Pat Nelson and transfer-to-be D'Andre Peyton.
Acker is a 5-foot-8 point guard from Hillcrest High School inIllinois, which went 27-2 and 25-4 the last two seasons and ispredicted to be one of the state's elite teams this year. Ackeraveraged 18 points and six assists per game as a junior.
"First and foremost, Maurice Acker is a winner," head coach TimBuckley said in a release. "He is the consummate point guard with agreat feel for the game."
Nelson, a 6-9 center, is at Jefferson High School in Buckley'shometown of Rockford, Ill. He averaged 10 points and nearly 10rebounds last season.
Peyton, a 6-7 forward, will come after two seasons at VincennesUniversity. He averaged 8.7 points and 7.1 boards his first yearthere. Previously, Peyton attended Indianapolis Lawrence Centraland Shores Academy.
"Pat Nelson has tremendous upside," Buckley said. "He is ahard-working big man, who wants to get better. His potential isunlimited.
"Peyton is a player we are bringing in to realize hispotential."
Also, women's head coach Tracy Roller signed three players fornext year's recruiting class -- Porchia Green, Kiley Jarrett andDana Moorman.
Green, a 5-foot-8 guard from Arlington High School inIndianapolis, where she averaged 13.8 points per game the past twoyears. She also had 8.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game and wasan Indiana Junior All-Star. Her high school team is coached by BallState alum Stephanie (Stalder) Keller.
"Porchia is our most athletic commitment from this class,"Roller says. "She will get after you defensively or blow by youwith the ball offensively. Porchia's offense is much needed."
Jarrett is a 5-foot-4 point guard from Bloomington North wasalso an Indiana Junior All-Star and averaged 13.4 points, 4.1assists and 3.1 rebounds last season. She was named Team MVP lastseason and Bloomington North is ranked No. 1 in the preseasonpoll.
"She was a great commitment for us," Roller said. "Hercompetitive nature, natural athletic ability and incredibleleadership will have an immediate impact on our team. She isintense on both ends of the court and I look forward to seeing herin a Cardinal uniform."
Moorman, a 6-foot guard/forward at Ohio's Fairmont High School,led her team to the 2004 district championship. She averaged 11.6points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.7 assists as a junior, andwas named second team all-conference and team MVP.
"She led her team to a very successful junior season and Iexpect that competitiveness to carry over to college," Roller said."She can score inside and out, and hurts you in so many ways."
"I believe overall this class is probably our most athletic as awhole, more than any other class that our staff has signed," Rollersaid. "They were all heavily recruited and yet committed early toshow their dedication to our program. They knew the fit here at BSUwas right."
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