Panthers Add Five To Recruiting Class
April 22, 2008
MILWAUKEE - Anthony Boyle of Middleton, Wis., Ryan Haggerty of Glen Ellyn, Ill., Tony Meier of Wildwood, Mo., and Burleigh Porte of Liberia have signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, head coach Rob Jeter announced today. Jeter also said Patrick Souter of Racine, Wis., has enrolled at UWM and will join the basketball team as a walk-on. This group joins Riley Walker of McFarland, Wis., and James Eayrs of Roseville, Minn., each of whom signed National Letters of Intent in November, as part of a seven-person class of newcomers for the Panthers. "We have put together a class of young men who are very passionate and very committed to Milwaukee basketball," Jeter said. "They are high-quality players, high-quality students and high-quality young men. All of them appreciate the opportunity they have and are eager to come in and continue to build this program." Boyle is a 6-foot-2 guard who played the past season at Highland Community College in Freeport, Ill. He averaged 14 points per game in earning First Team All-Region 4 honors, helping the Cougars to a 22-5 mark. He also played a year at Kirkland (Iowa) Community College after a standout high school career at Middleton High School. While playing for his dad, John, at MHS, he earned First Team All-Big Eight Conference recognition. "Tone is an excellent shooter and a very mature player," Jeter said. "He is a complete player who can really play either guard position, and he should be an anchor for us in the backcourt. He is also a strong student, a Wisconsin kid and the son of a coach. We are excited to bring him back to the state and have him join our program." Haggerty is a 6-foot-8 forward from Benet Academy in suburban Chicago. He averaged 10.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in his second year as a varsity starter, capturing all-state special mention recognition from the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association. He also collected all-city honors from the Naperville Sun and earned a spot on the all-East Suburban Catholic Conference team. He averaged 8.3 points and 5.9 rebounds as a junior and then gained notice this past summer while playing for the Illinois Wolves on the AAU circuit. During his senior season, he also earned spots on the all-tournament teams at the Downers Grove North and Plainfield North tournaments.
"Ryan is a very versatile player who can play both inside and out," Jeter said. "He is a good shooter, is skilled with the ball and really played well during the past year. He has shown a willingness to work on improving his game and his development really indicates his best basketball is ahead of him. He is also an excellent student and comes from a disciplined, well-regarded high school program - both athletically and academically. We are thrilled to have him." Meier is a 6-foot-8 wing forward from Lafayette High School in suburban St. Louis. He averaged 11.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game as a senior, earning a spot on the All-Suburban West Conference first team. He made 43.2 percent of his 3-point attempts (54-of-125) and was an 80 percent free throw shooter while helping his team to an 18-9 record. Meier grew three inches before his senior season after averaging 4.4 points per game and making 46.8 percent of his 3-point attempts (22-of-47) as a 6-foot-5 junior. In the spring of 2007, Meier was a St. Louis Post-Dispatch All-Metro first-team selection as a volleyball player after leading the Lancers to the state championship match as the team's setter. Meier is also stellar in the classroom, earning Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Academic All-State recognition earlier this month. He is also playing volleyball again this spring. "Tony is another versatile player who can play a number of positions," Jeter said. "He has the skills necessary to play well on the perimeter but has grown into a position where he can play on the inside. When you see he also plays volleyball, you know he will bring a certain level of athleticism. I am also impressed by the work he has done in the classroom and he should be proud of earning academic all-state honors. He should fit right in here in Milwaukee." Porte is a 6-foot-8 forward and native of Liberia who played this past season at Olney Central Community College, the same junior college that former Panthers Boo Davis and Derrick Ford attended. Porte was also a prep school teammate of current Panther Kaylan Anderson at Birmingham Central Park Christian in Alabama. Porte averaged 15 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots per game this past season. He also played at Butler County Community College for a year and has played for Liberia's Junior National Team. "Burleigh is a true inside player who will bring a lot of energy and a real defensive presence," Jeter said. "He runs the floor well for his size and has a nice ability to block and alter shots. He's also a good kid who really is excited about playing here in Milwaukee. He will be a tremendous addition for us." Souter is a 6-foot guard from St. Catherine's High School. He missed this past season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee but was ranked among the top 20 players in Wisconsin this past summer. During his junior season, he averaged 10.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while earning Second-Team All-Racine County from the Racine Journal Times. He also helped St. Catherine's to state titles as both a sophomore and a junior. "We are all excited to have a walk-on of his caliber join our program," Jeter said. "Before his knee injury he was on every mid-major's radar screen. He is a high-quality basketball player and high-quality student and I know he has been working very hard to get himself ready for college basketball." The pair of early signees also bring strong credentials to Milwaukee. Eayrs finished with 1,156 points in his two seasons at the North Dakota State College of Science, a mark that places him fourth on the school's all-time list. This season, Eayrs averaged 24 points per game, making him the third-leading scorer in NJCAA Division I play. He also shot 49.7 percent from the field while helping his team to a 25-6 record. Meanwhile, Walker missed the 2007-08 high school season with a knee injury, but the 6-foot-6 forward is expected to be ready for the 2008-09 campaign. He was a three-year starter at McFarland High School, earning All-Badger South Conference honors in 2006-06. Walker averaged 17.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game as a junior. Along with these roster additions, Jeter officially announced walk-on Brad Carroll would not return for the 2008-09 season. He was a redshirt this past season after playing in one exhibition contest. |
