Lander Men's Basketball Wraps up Recruiting for 2011-12

GREENWOOD - Lander men's basketball coach Jeff Burkhamer recently wrapped up his recruiting for the 2011-12 season with the signing of Scott Elder, Michael Lowe and Dennis Rumph.

Elder, 6-8, 215-pound post, is a freshman from Perth, Australia; Lowe, a 6-0, 170-pound wing, is a junior from Greenwood; and Rumph, a 6-6, 225-pound post, is a senior from Lake Worth, Fla.

Elder played at Marianapolis Prep School in Connecticut last year where he averaged 8.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Prior to Marianapolis, Elder played for the Western Australia State team and competed in the Under 16 and Under 18 Australian National Championships. He also played for the Willeton Club Team, where he averaged 14 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. Elder has posted career highs of 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 blocked shots.

"Scott is a post player who can score inside as well as step out and make three-point shots," said Burkhamer. "He is also a very good shot blocker and uses his 6-11 wing span to change and deflect shots. We feel Scott has tremendous potential and will get better and better during his career at Lander. Scott is a hard-nosed player who grew up playing Aussie rules football, so he does not mind mixing it up underneath."

Lowe played the past two seasons at Spartanburg Methodist College, where he averaged 3.0 points and 1.5 rebounds per game last season while shooting 44 percent from the floor and 86 percent from the free throw line. He scored a career-high 24 points against Mississippi Elite.

"Michael is a wing player who can really shoot the ball," said Burkhamer. "He has terrific understanding of the game and will be an excellent addition to our team. Michael has gained valuable experience playing in a very good junior college program and knows how to work and complete at the college level."

Rumph played played one season at Allen County Junior College, one at Gannon University and one at Palm Beach Community College. At Allen County, Rumph was named to the All-Jayhawk Conference team after averaging 9.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots per game. He scored a career-high 27 points against Coffeyville Community College and had a career-high 16 rebounds versus Independence Community College.

"Dennis is a power post player who will give us a presence in the paint," said Burkhamer. "He not only can score around the basket, but he can step out and make a mid-range jumper. The best thing Dennis does is rebound and block shots. He has a good sense for the ball and where missed shots may come off the rim. He also had excellent timing when it comes to blocking and changing shots around the basket."