Dragons Men's Basketball Signs Four Recruits for 2012-13 Season

Collin Boyles, Sports Information Coordinator

MOORHEAD, Minn. - On the opening day of regular season basketball games for Minnesota State University Moorhead, the men's club announced the signing of four recruits to add depth for seven exiting seniors.

The Dragons announced Tuesday the signing of Tyler Vaughan from Braham High School (Braham, Minn.), Damien Reinke from Becker High School (Becker, Minn.), Matt Nelson from Rosemount High School (Rosemount, Minn.) and Ryan Benoy from Baldwin-Woodville High School (Baldwin, Wisc.).

Vaughan, a 6'0" guard, earned MVP honors in the Great River Conference while recording 24.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 7.5 assists and three steals per game in his junior season for the Braham Bombers. Vaughan took his talents into spring and summer circuits while playing with the Minnesota Comets. A two-sport athlete, Vaughan led the school's football team to the Minnesota State Tournament.

Reinke, a 6'6" forward, put up 19.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game with the Becker Bulldogs as a junior. Reinke, a distinguished three-point shooter, played alongside Vaughan on the Comets' spring and summer circuit travel-team. Also a two-sport athlete, Reinke's play at wideout for the Bulldogs' football team has led to college recruitment in both sports.

Nelson, a 6'9" forward, has been called a team-first player while scoring 11.7 points per game in his junior season for the Rosemount Irish. The tall presence will add shot blocking ability, strong defense, scoring opportunities from the post and perimeter and intelligence while running the floor. Nelson competed with the Minnesota Select on the travel-team circuit.

Benoy, a 6'0" guard, leads the Baldwin-Woodville Blackhawks from the point after averaging 2.5 assists and 18.2 points off a .500 field goal percent as a junior. A .390 three-point percent shows the potential of his perimeter game. As MVP of the Middle Border Conference, Benoy will take on a distributor role with the Dragons while defending opponents from end-line to end-line. Benoy played on a travel-team circuit with the Wisconsin Playground Warriors.

The recruits will join the team for the 2012-13 season that will lose seven seniors from this year's squad. The Dragons women's and men's teams tip-off regular season play Tuesday night at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively. The Dragons will take on the Vikings of Valley City State University in Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse.