TRCC's Josh Terry signs with Austin Peay basketball

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn.--Josh Terry, a 6-4 wing for National Junior College Athletic Association tournament runner up Three Rivers Community College (Poplar Bluff, Mo.), has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at Austin Peay State University.

Terry, who was named to the NJCAA all-tournament team, was the Raiders' second-leading scorer, averaging 13.0 points per game while shooting better than 45 percent from the floor and nearly 75 percent at the free-throw line. The big guard also averaged 5.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and a team-best 2.0 steals per game. During the national tournament title game run, which saw the Raiders lose to Howard (Texas) College, 86-80, in overtime, the Henderson, Ky., native averaged 14.3 ppg and 7.7 rpg.

"We are very excited to add Josh Terry to our team," APSU coach Dave Loos said. "He not only possesses a strong game but some intangibles as well that will strengthen our team. He is a very good defender, he plays hard and has good leadership qualities. I really have been impressed with his mid-range game and his ability to get to the rim off the dribble.

"He also has impressed me with his knack for making big plays, especially at critical points of the game. He also was one of Three Rivers better rebounders, especially as far as offensive rebounding is concerned."

Terry played as a freshman and sophomore for the legendary Gene Bess at Three Rivers--Bess is the winningest coach in junior college history with 1,114 victories. The forward/guard averaged 8.9 points 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game as a freshman.

"He comes from a terrific program," Loos said. "He has been superbly coached. I think he really knows how to win. When you get a guy from Coach Bess' program you know what you are getting. You know he is well-coached on both ends of the floor; that he comes from a very disciplined environment.

"Nobody plays harder than Josh. He understands the importance of the defensive end. He led his conference (Region 16) in steals. I saw Josh play in the national tournament and he performed extremely well against some big-time players. "

As a prep senior at Henderson County in 2007-08, Terry averaged more than 24 points and nearly nine rebounds per game. He was named Region 2 Player of the Year over University Heights star Scotty Hopson, now at Tennessee.

Terry, who will be a junior in 2010-11 and will have two years of eligibility remaining, is APSU's first recruit from Three Rivers since Corey Gipson (2003-04) and Wiilliam Durden (2004-05). Durden, in fact, now serves as one of Three Rivers assistant coaches.

"Will and Corey were first and foremost excellent and solid human beings," Loos said. "I believe Josh is in that same mold. He is a good, solid person who comes from a good family.

"We really look forward to having him join our team next year. Certainly, we believe he will provide an immediate impact."

-AP-