Griz recruits Stockton, Ward see action in Northwest Shootout

In what may well be a first for Montana Grizzly basketball recruiting, two of the best prep boys players from the state of Washington – Shawn Stockton of Washington 4A state Champion Ferris H.S. of Spokane, and Matthias Ward of Gig Harbor H.S. – played in the 14th annual Washington-Oregon post-season Northwest Shootout, held Sunday, Apr. 6 at the University of Portland’s Chiles Center.

The game – which finished just before this post –  was won 108-105 by the Washington All Stars. DeAngelo Casto of Spokane Ferris and Reggie Moore of Seattle Rainier Beach H. S. were named co-MVPs.

Moore, who will play basketball next year at Fresno State, scored 23 points while dishing six assists and getting two steals. Casto, who has yet to decide where he’ll play next year, scored 19 points while collecting eight rebounds and eight blocks on the game.

Final game stats were not available at this point, but I’ll add them as they are posted by the Portland Oregonian web site.

In the meantime, you can read a live game blog here by Portland Oregonian prep writer Patrick Greenfield.

Also, check out Oregonian video sports video specialist Bill Miksell’s game-action highlights here later tonight or Monday.

Even a casual perusal of the Washington-Oregon lineup and the schools to which these prep players are headed next year, should lead to the conclusion that Montana coach Wayne Tinkle has a good start on an impressive freshman recruiting class for 2008.

Stockton and Ward are the only players to see action in the Northwest Classic who are committed to a Big Sky Conference school.