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Caruthers set to soar in the fall for the UNF Ospreys

The North Florida men's basketball team added its second player of the spring national signing period this week when shooting guard Aaron Caruthers from Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone, Ga., signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Ospreys in 2005-06.

The 6-foot, 185-pound Caruthers was a three-year starter at Sandy Creek and led the Fighting Patriots to a 26-5 record and a berth in the AAAA state semifinals this past season. He averaged 18.5 points per game and shot 41 percent from the floor as the team's leading scorer.

Caruthers was selected as a member of the Atlanta Tip-off Club All-Metro team and as an all-county selection by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also an honorable mention all-state selection by the Journal-Constitution and was a McDonald's All-America nominee.

He finished his career as Sandy Creek's all-time leading scorer with 1,755 points and ranks second all- time in steals and fifth in rebounds.

"He is a hard worker - the type of kid that stays around long after practice is finished trying to work on his individual game," Sandy Creek head coach Darrell Evans said. "He knows how to create his own shot, and he is very aggressive offensively, but most importantly he is a good team leader. He's a fantastic young man."

In addition to his athletic ability, Caruthers also is a solid student - having already qualified academically.

"We are excited about Aaron joining the UNF family," UNF head coach Matt Kilcullen said. "He is a strong, physical guard who has the ability to get into the paint and finish, as well as being a consistent threat from 3-point range. He comes from an excellent high school system and really knows how to play the game."

Caruthers is ranked as the No. 19 prospect in Georgia by Georgia Elite Magazine and was the No. 14 prospect as a junior, according to Hoop Scoop Magazine. He also plays AAU basketball for the highly acclaimed Team Georgia.

Sandy Creek finished 10-0 in regional play this past season and was ranked fourth in the state in the final AAAA poll. Caruthers also averaged 2.3 assists, 2.6 steals and 3.7 rebounds per game as a senior.

"Everybody made me feel so welcome," Caruthers said about his decision to sign with the Ospreys. "I just thank God for the opportunity to play basketball on a higher level. I feel like I can help UNF with the process of moving (up to Division I) and help make them a top-notch program."

Caruthers will join a UNF squad that lost only one senior and returns a strong nucleus of talent - including four starters. The Ospreys were 14-17 this past season but won nine of their final 12 games. UNF will begin play at the Division I level in 2005-06, joining the Atlantic Sun Conference.

In other Sandy Creek basketball news, senior Dwight Jackson will continue his academic and athletic careers at Grove City College, starting with the 2005-2006 academic year.

 Jackson, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound forward, is Grove City's top low-post recruit.

 "We are very excited about having Dwight join our program," 7th-year Grove City head coach Steve Lamie (102-78) said. "He has a tremendous work ethic and his skills, especially at the defensive end, are impressive. We think that Dwight can come in and contribute immediately in the frontcourt for us."

 Grove City is a member of NCAA Division III and the Presidents' Athletic Conference. The Wolverines went 13-12 during the 2004-2005 season, including a 6-4 mark in PAC play. Grove City has posted five consecutive winning seasons and won PAC titles in both 1999 and 2003.

The Wolverines graduate four starters from this past season and are returning eight lettermen.