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The Wilburton High School basketball team’s loss will be the Eastern Mountaineers’ gain. Standout high school roundballers Jesse Hernandez and Brent Shouse signed to play next year with the Wilburton college today (Wednesday).

“We will certainly feel the loss of two exceptional players such as these,” Wilburton Coach Gary Lay said. “I couldn’t be happier than to see them stay close to home and play at the next level,” he added. I think it’s great for the community and I’m looking forward to watching them play at Eastern.”

Eastern Head Basketball Coach Win Case was also pleased to sign these two local stars to his team.

“I feel these young men will be assets to Eastern both as basketball players and as students,” Case said. They come from a great program.”

Wilburton’s program has had success in recent years and saw both young men capturing starting positions all three years of high school. The team was ranked as high as 4th in the state in a very competitive class 3A and finished the 2005 season ranked 8th. Both players were leaders on a squad known for teamwork. Hernandez averaged 12.9 points per game and was pulling down 10 rebounds while Shouse was averaging 10.7 ppg and nearly 7 rebounds.

“I’m excited,” the two young men said in near unison about playing for the Mountaineers next year.

Hernandez will major in Health and Physical Education while Shouse will be a Business Administration major.

Caption info:
Wilburton basketball players Brent Shouse, third from left, and Jesse Hernandez, second from right, signed letters of intent today to play basketball next year for the Eastern Oklahoma State College Mountaineers. Pictured from front left are Bill Shouse, Leah Miller, Shouse, Hernandez and Shirley Hernandez. Back row: Eastern Coach Win Case, Wilburton Coach Gary Lay and Carli Lay.