April 19, 2007

Daytona Beach, Fla. - After hitting the ground hard and determining to bounce back towards the top of the MEAC standings for next year, Bethune-Cookman University head men's basketball Clifford Reed, Jr. has signed two players to National Letters of Intent for the 2007-08 season.

Combo/twin forward John Holmes and point guard Joey Woods have each declared themselves as a member set for the Wildcats men's basketball squad next season.

John Holmes is a junior college player that is a combo forward either playing at the 3 or 4 position. He comes to B-CU via Des Moines Area Community College in Des Moines, Iowa. At DMACC, Holmes averaged 14 points and 6.9 rebounds per contest for the Bears, helping them to the National D2 Junior College Tournament. The Bears ranked eighth in the nation in the final polls.

Holmes went on to be named as a First Team All-Conference performer, and was rated as one of the best forward by JuCo Junction. Holmes spent time at Iowa Western Community College before making the leap to DMACC.

"John Holmes is a player that we expect to provide an immediate impact," exclaims Coach Reed. "He is a great 3-4 twin player that can use his size and body to grab rebounds and score. He is an explosive player with great jumping ability. Not only can he provide us with scoring inside, but he can grab the loose ball and rebounds as well."

Heading back to the state of Florida, the Wildcats decided to stay in the "Sunshine State" for their point guard needs. After losing Damitrius Coleman to graduation, Coach Reed headed south for a speedy player with scoring capabilities from all over. He seems to have found that in Joey Woods, a 6-foot-3, 175-pound guard from Bonita Springs.

Woods became the first Golden Gate High School basketball player to sign with a Division I institution.

He was named as the Naples Daily News Basketball Player of the Year, as well as being picked by several publications as the best basketball player in the area. But, if that wasn't enough, he went on to garner All-State [Third Team] recognition, as well as eclipsing 1,000 points in his career. During his senior year, Woods averaged 15.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

"Joey [Woods] has the chance to become the best point guard we have ever had at this school, if he works with the same intensity that he did in high school," proclaims Coach Reed. "We expect him to fight for a starting job right away. He is a big point guard that can get to the foul line by slashing, as well as having the ability to score from the outside--something we lacked last season. This kid just has a bright future if he stays motivated for us here at Bethune-Cookman. We look for some big things out of him."

The Wildcats have a few more NLI papers out right now, and are awaiting word on those at any moment. Coach Reed feels like this could be one of his best classes ever if the Wildcats get the rest of the names they expect to sign.

For more information on men's basketball and the signees for the 2007-08 season, please stay informed through www.BCCathletics.com as all the latest news and a final list of the signees will be posted when everything is final.