MOORHEAD, Minn. (MSUM Athletics) – Minnesota State University Moorhead head men’s basketball coach Chad Walthall has announced the signing of four student-athletes for the 2021-22 season.
Signing with MSUM are Eddie Beeninga of Maple Grove, Minn.; Chance Fazio of Fergus Falls, Minn.; Owen Hektner of Fargo, N.D.; and Jordan Johnson of Elkhorn, Wis.
“We are very pleased and excited the way this class has developed during a recruiting year where there was great uncertainty and very little normalcy with the ongoing pandemic,” Walthall said. “Most importantly this 2021 class is a great representation of the Dragon program beliefs – very committed and high achievers in the classroom and basketball court and high character student-athletes with humility and toughness.”
Owen Hektner (F, 6-8, Fargo, N.D./Davies HS)
Averaged 13.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game as a junior…career highs of 30 points and 10 rebounds…played for Pentagon Schoolers Club in 2019-20…will be a captain for senior year…three-year letterwinner…plays for Coach Bart Manson at Fargo Davies HS
“Owen is a tremendous addition to our basketball program,” Walthall said. “He is a skilled forward that has always had a great investment into the game. We look forward to watching his development in a Dragon uniform as he continues to physically mature and get stronger.”
Chance Fazio (C, 7-0, Fergus Falls, Minn./Fergus Falls HS)
All-conference as a junior when he set single-season record for blocks…averaged 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game as a junior…had career highs of 30 points, 18 rebounds and nine blocks…three-year letterwinner…plays for Coach Matt Johnson at Fergus Falls HS.
“Chance started in hockey and just began to play organized basketball four years ago,” Walthall said. “He has great size at 7 feet and shown a very good feel and natural instincts for not playing very long. He has dramatically improved every year and expect that growth to continue at MSUM.”
Jordan Johnson (G, 6-1, Elkhorn, Wis./Elkhorn Area HS)
First-team all-state…conference player of the year…averaged 24.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game as a junior…all-area and all-conference…career high of 44 points…team MVP…plays for Coach Josh Skatrud at Elkhorn HS
“Jordan can play either guard position and is equally adapt at scoring and passing the basketball,” Walthall said. “He has an incredible ability score at all three levels offensively and a tenacity to get the job done defensively. He is another player that has a great desire for the game.”
Eddie Beeninga (G, 6-1, Maple Grove, Minn./Wayzata HS)
All-conference honorable mention…team captain as a senior…averaged 8.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per game…three-year letterwinner…brother Johnny played at MSUM for four years, wrapping up career last March, while brother Jacob is in his second year as a Dragon…plays for Coach Bryan Schnettler at Wayzata HS
“We are thrilled to add another Beeninga to our Dragon program,” Walthall said. “Eddie is the younger brother of former Dragon captain Johnny, and current player Jacob Beeninga. Eddie will provide a very tough defensive presence and has really expanded his game offensively the last couple years.”
*Courtesy Associated Press
