The Webster University 2016-17 men's basketball team added a whopping ten recruits to help in its quest for a St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title.  The Gorloks lost only three seniors to graduation and return four of their top scorers, including leading scorer and rebounder, Hunter Ward.  Head coach Chris Bunch hopes this class, combined with an experienced group of returnees, puts Webster over the top.

Ward (SR, St. Louis, MO/Kirkwood HS), who averaged 16.2 pts and 8.4 rebounds per game, and C.J. Moore (SR, Homestead, FL/Miami Killian HS), who averaged 10.4 pts per game, lead a group of returners that include eight players who saw 300+ minutes on the floor for Webster. 

The recruiting class includes players from Indiana, Alabama, and Nevada, as well as three from out-state Missouri and four from the St. Louis area.  Nine out of the 10 newcomers are freshmen, with one coming via the junior college route. A breakdown of each of the incoming players with coach Bunch's assessment:
 

Adkisson	Carter	Davis	Berger (not available)

Brandon Adkisson (Indianapolis, IN/Itasca CC)
Adkisson, a 6'1" transfer from Itasca CC in Minnesota, averaged 16.2 points and 3.5 rebounds last season as a sophomore. "Brandon is an excellent scorer with good quickness," Bunch said. "He gives us another option at the perimeter positions and should battle for playing time right away."
 
Will Berger (Belleville, IL/Freeburg HS)
Berger is a 6'4" forward from Freeburg HS, who averaged 10 points a game last season.  "Will is a swingman who can play multiple positions for us," Bunch said. "He has good size and a very good shooting touch from outside, making him a versatile player."
 
Keyon Carter (Mobile, AL/Williamson HS)
Carter joins fellow Mobile resident Tehvynn Crenshaw on the Gorloks this season. Carter and Crenshaw both played for the same high school coach.  Carter  averaged 10 points, four rebounds and four assists per game for Williamson HS (AL) last year.  "Keyon is a good perimeter shooter, which is an area we needed to improve upon," said Coach Bunch. "He is another good player to build upon for the future."
 
Geoffrey Davis (Las Vegas, NV/Legacy HS)
Davis is a 6'4" forward/center who comes to Webster after playing for Legacy HS in Colorado.  "Geoffrey is a determined rebounder and defender," notes Bunch. "We were thin at the interior position last year and he gives us added size and rebounding ability."
 

Ferrell	Huot	Johnson	Powell

                      
Blake Ferrell (Ballwin, MO/Parkway South HS)
Ferrell comes to Webster after a solid senior year with Parkway South HS.  Ferrell averaged nine points and four rebounds per game last season for the Patriots.  "Blake is a good defender and rebounder and adds to our athleticism on the perimeter," Bunch said.  "His work ethic and attitude will be invaluable to us."
 
Nolan Huot (Loose Creek, MO/Fatima)
Huot arrives at Webster after a stellar career at Fatima HS in central Missouri. He scored over 1,200 points for his career and led Fatima to the district championship his senior year, garnering him a Class 3 First Team All-State selection.  "Nolan is a tremendous scorer and all-around player," Bunch said. "With his size and scoring ability I look for him to make an immediate impact on our program this season."
 
Josh Johnson (St. Louis, MO/Clayton HS)
Johnson averaged 14.2 points and three assists per game for Clayton HS last season while shooting 41% from the 3-point line.  "Josh gives us good depth at the point guard position and someone that we can build around for the future" Coach Bunch said. "His quickness and scoring ability will be an asset to the program."
 
Christian Powell (Kirbyville, MO/Branson)
Powell joins the Gorlok program after being a starter for Branson HS last season.  "Christian is a good shooter and has a tremendous work ethic," Bunch said.  "He gives us added depth at the wing position this season."
 

Rakestraw (not available)	Tankins

                                                                  
James Rakestraw (Westphalia, MO/Fatima)
Rakestraw is the second player from Fatima HS to join the Gorloks this season. He was a starter on the Comets' 2016 district championship squad last season.  "James comes from a winning program and understands what it takes to be successful," said Bunch.  "His size and rebounding ability should greatly improve our program."
 
Enrique Tankins (Wentzville, MO/Timberland HS)
Tankins averaged 12 points and six rebounds a game for Timberland HS last season while shooting almost 45% from three-point range.  His performance helped Timberland to a 21-7 record last year.  "Enrique was a crucial part of Timberland's success last season," said Bunch. "His ability to score and rebound makes him a candidate for immediate playing time."

Webster opens play on November 15 at Grant Gymnasium vs. Washington University.  The Gorloks have an exhibition game in Springfield, MO, on November 12 vs. NCAA II Drury University.