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Oredigger Basketball
2007-08 Recruits
Ivan Sljivar | Brian Davison | Bryan Tollbom
Shad Strerath | Kellen Rhodes | Dirk Anderson
May 31, 2007
Serbian guard signs with Montana Tech
Ivan Sljivar, a 6’6” guard from Belgrade, Serbia, has signed a letter of intent to join the Montana Tech men’s basketball team, coach Nate Larson announced.
 Sljivar spent the past year in Hilmar, CA, as a high school foreign exchange student. He starred for Hilmar High School and averaged 14 points and 12 rebounds while earning 1st Team All-Conference honors. Last summer, Sljivar played on the Modesto Slam-N-Jam AAU team and averaged 16 points in the very competitive Las Vegas Main Event.
“We feel Ivan is a great fit for us both on and off the floor. Athletically, Ivan is an unselfish, all-around player with nice size at the guard spot. He can play any position in our system and create match-up issues. He will develop into a fine player for us in the future. Academically, Ivan is very bright, communicates extremely well, and is interested in Engineering. He will be successful in the classroom at Tech,” said Larson.
 Sljivar added, “First of all, I was looking for a school with a very good engineering program, and Montana Tech is one of the best in that area since job placement is almost guaranteed after graduation. Secondly, after talking with Coach Larson and Coach Palmer, I believe that the style of play at Tech fits me the best and that we will be a great match. I am looking forward to coming on campus in the fall.”
An excellent student, Ivan carries a 3.8 GPA and plans on studying General Engineering. |
May 21, 2007
Highwood's Davison joins Oredigger Basketball
Brian Davison, a 6’3” guard from Highwood, MT, has signed a letter of intent to continue his academic and athletic career at Montana Tech, coach Nate Larson announced.
 A three sport star at Highwood High School, Davison averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds while leading the Mountaineers (23-8) to its second consecutive trip to the state Class C Tournament.
An explosive scorer, Brian’s season high came against Gardiner when he scored 41 points and knocked down 7 three-pointers. At the Hi-Line Invitational Tournament this spring, Brian pumped in 54 points including 12 three-pointers against the Classs B All-Stars.
On the gridiron, Brian quarterbacked Highwood to a 33-0 overall record and three consecutive state Six-Man football championships. He was chosen to play in both the Montana Six-Man All-Star Game and the prestigious Montana East-West Shrine Game this summer. In track, Brian has qualified for the Class C state meet in the 800-meter run, long jump, and the triple jump over the past three years.
“We are thrilled Brian chose Montana Tech. I have followed Brian’s high school career closely and believe he is one of the best shooting guards in the state. Obviously, Brian is an outstanding athlete with a great shooting touch. He will be able to defend the athletic guards in our league and provide a scoring threat from the outside. He is a great kid with an outstanding work ethic, and he flat out knows how to win. We feel he will develop into a great player for us as he focuses solely on basketball at Tech,” said Larson.
“When I went on my campus visit, I was very impressed with the coaching staff and the academic and athletic facilities. I believe good things are happening at Tech, and the situation just felt right,” said Davison of his decision to join the Oredigger Basketball program.
Brian plans on studying Applied Health Science and is the son of Jay and Karla Davison of Highwood, MT.
Great Falls Tribune Article on Brian's Career |
May 4, 2007
Tech Basketball inks 6'7" JC transfer
Bryan Tollbom, a 6’7” forward from Sandpoint, ID, has signed a letter of intent to join the Oredigger Basketball program coach Nate Larson announced.
 Tollbom averaged 14 points and 5 rebounds for Walla Walla Community College (WA) and helped lead the Warriors (25-6) to a 1st place finish in the Eastern Division of the NWAACC.
“We are excited to add Bryan to our program. He will immediately bolster our front-line and provide a true inside-out scoring threat. He has a really nice stroke and the ability to knock down the three, penetrate to create opportunities, and score on and around the block. In addition, Bryan is not afraid to battle in the paint for rebounds which will help shore up a major weakness of our team,” added Larson. 
“I had a great time when I came up on my visit and really liked what the school had to offer both athletically and academically. I believe playing under Coach Larson and his staff will really help me define my skills and take me to that next level I want to be at. I am looking forward to playing at Montana Tech next year and trust I can help the team accomplish great things,” added Tollbom.
Bryan plans to major in Business and Information Technology and is the son of Ward and Elizabeth Tollbom. |
April 13, 2007
Oredigger Basketball adds Idaho shooting guard
Shad Strerath, a 5-foot-11 guard from Lewiston, Idaho, has signed a letter of intent to continue his academic and athletic career at Montana Tech, coach Nate Larson announced.
 Strerath averaged 14 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals per contest for Lewiston High School and coach Dave Cornelia. In addition, Shad earned 2nd Team All-Inland Empire Conference honors while helping the Bengals to a 16-7 record and a birth in the Idaho Class 5A State Tournament.
“Shad comes to us from a top-notch program in Idaho, and he was a key component to their success this year. He is an outstanding shooter, hard-nosed defender, and most importantly a gym rat. Shad has and will continue to work on his game and strength year-round and will only get better. We believe he has the potential to develop into a very good player in our league.”
Strerath added, “I chose Montana Tech because of the school’s great academics and upcoming basketball program. I really like the direction and enthusiasm that the coaches have for the future of Oredigger Basketball. I believe the school and coaching staff will help me develop into the best student-athlete I am capable of becoming.”
Shad carries a 3.4 GPA and plans to major in Business and Information Technology. He is the son of Dave Strerath and Lori Chason.
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March 18, 2007
Orediggers add Butte native Kellen Rhodes
Kellen Rhodes, a 6’3” guard, has signed a letter of intent to join the Montana Tech Oredigger Basketball program head coach Nate Larson announced.
 Rhodes averaged 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists per game for Roundup High School and coach Rick Griffith. A Butte native, Rhodes led the Panthers to a 20-5 record and the Eastern B Divisional challenge game this past season.
A three year starter, Kellen scored over 1,700 career points and was named Class B All-State twice and All-Conference 3 times. In his junior season, he led Roundup to its first Class B boys state championship game since 1964.
“We are excited to have Kellen join our program. He is a proven scorer and makes players around him better. He was an integral part of reviving Roundup’s basketball program since his arrival as a freshman.
What he lacks in explosive athleticism, Kellen really makes up for it in his effort and ability to create opportunities for his teammates and himself.”
“I chose Montana Tech because I really like the coaching staff and I feel that it will be a good fit for me. I believe that the basketball program is on the rise, and I look forward to helping it improve even more in the years to come. Tech is a great academic school which will give me an opportunity to get a good education,” Rhodes said.
“Off the floor, Kellen is an outstanding student and will be a great representative of Montana Tech and our basketball program,” concluded Larson.
Kellen carries a 3.74 GPA and will purse a degree in Business. He is the son of Lee and Tami Rhodes. |
March 3, 2007
Tech Basketball inks 6’7” forward from Idaho
Dirk Anderson, a two-time Western Idaho Conference player of the year winner, signed a letter of intent to continue his basketball career at Montana Tech, head coach Nate Larson announced.
 Anderson, a 6’7” forward, averaged 26 points, 13 rebounds, & 3 blocks per contest for the Idaho City Wildcats and coach Bill Phillips.
A four year basketball letter winner, Dirk scored over 1,500 career points in his career and recorded 182 blocks the past two years.
"Dirk is an excellent athlete for his size and a tireless defender and rebounder. He has a real knack for the basketball and can score around the basket. We were last in the conference in rebounding this past season, and he will help us improve in that important category in the future. We are proud to have a student-athlete like Dirk join our basketball program, " says Larson.
An excellent student, Dirk carries a 3.7 GPA and will major in Biology. He credits his family with his basketball and academic success. “My family has been my biggest supporter through high school,” says Anderson.
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