Cougar News
Men's Basketball - Thu, May 13, 2010
Zach Chatman signs a letter of intent; Photo courtesy of Milan Mirror-Exchange
Photo Identification for Zach Chatman Signing: Standing from left to right: Todd Sheppard (Milan HS basketball coach); Dominique Moore and Tim Adkisson (Milan HS senior teammates); Kevin Bryowski (Milan HS assistant basketball coach). Seated (left to right): Howard Dillard (Mid-Continent University assistant basketball coach); Zach Chatman (recruit), Mozella Williamson (mother of recruit). Photo courtesy of Milan Mirror-Exchange.
Mayfield, KY - Mid-Continent University men's basketball coach and 2009-10 TSAC Coach of the Year Winston Bennett has signed point guard Zach Chatman and forward Mark Vaughn from Milan (Tennessee) High School to letters of intent to play for the Cougars beginning with the 2010-11 season.
The son of Mozella Williamson, Chatman led Milan in assists, averaging 3.2 per game with highs of 8 assists in two games. He averaged 5.5 points per game with a high of 15 points, recorded 125 defensive deflections and received his team's Outstanding Point Guard award. Chatman also was named Milan's Outstanding Defensive Player after his junior season with 42 steals and 83 deflections. He was a three-year starter.
Coach Dillard comments, "Zach is a tremendous young man and has a lot of potential. He fits perfectly into our program. He gives us what we like to call a ‘match fit' both on the court and in the classroom." Dillard observed Milan at the Calloway High School Tournament and at the District Tournament and said he was impressed with the overall "demeanor" of Milan's basketball program. "They have humble coaches and the kids are going to push hard," he said.
"Coach B (Bryowsky), the players and I are excited," said Chatman's high school coach, Todd Sheppard. "Zach loves basketball, and he's a great kid. He‘s one of our gym rats and has wanted to play college ball for a long time. He wants to get an education whether he plays ball or not. It's a great thing to get to go to a school and be a student first and also a basketball player."
"We're very excited about him," says Mid-Continent head coach Winston Bennett about Vaughn. "We know Mark is an exceptional young man, an exceptional player and an exceptional student. The name of this game is student athlete not athlete student. Mark understands the importance of the classroom. He plays hard and that stood out. That's what we stand for." Coach Bennett also commended Coach Todd Sheppard for developing Vaughn and said he hoped to have a "long standing relationship" with Milan.
Sheppard commented about Vaughn's signing, "Obviously, I think it's great. Mark saw Mid-Continent beat Union last season. They play great basketball and are one of the best teams in the TranSouth conference. I think he will fit in well since he plays hard and is very versatile with the ability to play inside or outside."
