THREE BASKETBALL PLAYERS COMMITT TO CONCORDIA ST PAUL FOR THE 2009-2010 SEASON

Concordia University head men's basketball coach Kelly Boe has announced the addition of three student-athletes to the squad for the upcoming 2009-10 season. All three will be freshmen next year, Maurice Hernandez (West St. Paul, Minn.) of Sibley High School, Taylor Steinbauer of Owatonna High School and Isaiah Thomas from Fridley High School.

Hernandez is a 6-3, 195 pound guard that helped the Warriors reach the MSHSL Class 4A State Tournament two years in a row as a junior and senior. He was one of the scoring leaders on the squad, averaging 15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists. He earned All-Conference honors and is a three-time letterwinner.

Steinbauer brings size to the Concordia front court. A 6-8, 225 post player, Steinbauer led the Huskies in field goal pct. and led them to the section title game three years in a row. He earned four letters at Owatonna and the awards came along with it. Steinbauer was an All-State Honorable Mention selection as a senior and a two-time All-Big 9 First Team Selection. He was selected to play in the MBCA All-Star game as well. He was a member of Big 9 Championship runs as a freshman and sophomore.

Thomas is a long, athletic wing at 6-6, 195 and can play either the two or the three. Playing a position most often relied on for points, Thomas does just that. He is a member of Fridley's 1,000 point club and is the all-time scoring leader for the Tigers. He holds the record for most points in a season and his 50 point outburst set a new single game scoring record. At 6-6, he can also shoot with range, nailing eight three-pointers in a game to tie a school mark. As a senior, Thomas scored 24.0 points per game while shooting 62.0% from the floor and 47.0% from long distance. Thomas first earned All-Conference Honorable Mention honors as a sophomore before being an outright selection as a junior and senior. As a senior, he was also an All-Metro Third Team pick and an AP All-State Honorable Mention selection. He is a two-time team MVP for the Tigers, earning three letters in basketball and in weightlifting. Off the court, he was chosen as a Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association Academic All-State selection.