July 19, 2005

Jaguars Add Local Standout

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Augusta State men's basketball coach Dip Metress announced Tuesday that Matt Scott has signed a grant-in-aid to join the Jaguar men's basketball program.

A former standout at nearby Lakeside High School in Evans, Scott was a prolific prep scorer who finished as the all-time leading scorer in Columbia County history. The only player in Columbia County history to surpass the 2,000-point milestone, Scott averaged 27.8 ppg. as a senior while leading the Panthers to a 14-12 record during the 2003-04 season. He spent last season at Georgia Southern, where he was redshirted.

"We are elated that Matt is joining our program," said Metress. "Matt has demonstrated the ability to shoot the basketball and we look forward to his development in the next four years at Augusta State. To pick up a player of Matt's ability at this point in the summer is a great benefit to our program as we try to build upon last year's success."

A two-year team captain for coach Richie Carnes at Lakeside, Scott averaged 26.2 ppg. as a junior, 19.1 ppg. as a sophomore and 13.1 ppg. as a freshman. He was named MVP of the Georgia-South Carolina High School All-Star game and twice earned all-county and all-area honors. He was also voted the Augusta Chronicle Player-of-the-Year.

Scott is the fifth signee for ASU, joining Xavier Smith, Kendall Granderson, Terrell Dobbins and Demetrius Howard.

The Jaguars posted a 19-11 record in Metress' first year at the helm of the program while advancing to the Peach Belt Conference Tournament semifinals. The Jags return two starters and eight lettermen from last season's squad.