USD Men’s Basketball Signs Three

Vermillion, S.D. – South Dakota head coach Dave Boots announced on Friday, Nov. 13, that three recruits have signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Coyote men’s basketball squad. Steve Tecker of Brule, Wis., Trevor Gruis of Ellsworth, Minn. and Jared Bartling of Sioux Falls, S.D., will begin their South Dakota career during the 2010-11 academic year.

“This class will bring us size and athleticism,” Boots said. “Trevor and Jared are very athletic at 6-9 and both play hard. Steve is a strong and athletic wing who does a lot of things for a team. All of them will fill some needs that we will have for next year.”

South Dakota will have two scholarships left for the late signing period in April. Below are biographies for USD’s Fall 2009 signees.

Steve Tecker – Guard – Brule, Wis.

A 6-foot-5 guard, Steve Tecker led Northwestern High School to a school-record 25-1 overall record and an appearance in the state semifinals as a junior in 2008-09. He was a unanimous selection to the Division 2 all-state team by the Wisconsin Coaches Association after averaging 21.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.2 steals during the season. Tecker also earned third-team all-state honors from the Associated Press, while the Duluth Tribune named him its player of the year. He was selected to the first-team all-area by the Eau Claire Leader and Superior Telegram and is currently ranked the No. 6 player in the state of Wisconsin by Wissports.net. As a sophomore, Tecker averaged over 17 points to earn first-team all-conference honors while helping Northwestern to a 15-6 record. During his freshman year, the team notched a 20-4 record behind an average of 15 points from Tecker and made the regional finals. He also earned first-team all-conference accolades. A three-year varsity starter, Tecker has scored 1,188 points and collected 584 rebounds in his prep career for Coach Dan Cowley. He is the son of Johnny and Deanna Tecker.

Tecker on USD: “I really liked the players and coaches at South Dakota. I think I could be able to come in there and play some minutes and contribute to the team right away, and I always wanted to play in Division I, so USD is a good fit. I was excited to sign early so I can concentrate on my final high school season now.”

Trevor Gruis – Center – Ellsworth, Minn.
One of the top centers in the state of Minnesota, Trevor Gruis has helped Ellsworth High School and Coach Tyler Moris to the state title game the past three seasons. As a junior he led the Panthers in rebounds, blocks and assists by averaging 17 points, 11 rebounds and five assists per game, while Ellsworth posted a 28-4 record and second-place finish at state. He was named to the Fab 40 for the state of Minnesota by Minnesota Breakdown, while earning all-state tournament, all-conference, all-area and all-state honors. As a sophomore, the 6-foot-9 Gruis averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds per game to assist Ellsworth to its second-straight state title with a 30-2. He was named to the all-area, all-conference and all-state tournament team. He was also part of a Panther squad that went 31-3 to capture a state tile during his freshman year. Gruis has totaled 1,072 points, 702 rebounds and 271 assists during his three-year prep career. He is the son of Layton and Missy Gruis.

Gruis on USD: “I wanted to come to USD because I liked the coaching staff a lot, and then when I met with the players they were great to. Playing at the Division I level is going to be a great challenge for me as a player, and it’s close to home so my family can come and watch me.”

Jared Bartling – Center – Sioux Falls, S.D.

The Coyotes again sign one of the best recruits in the state of South Dakota with the 6-foot-8 Jared Bartling. Under Coach Lee Taylor at Roosevelt High School, Bartling earned all-city and All-Greater Dakota Conference honors as a junior when he averaged 9.9 points per game and 9.1 rebounds per game and led the Rough Riders to a 13-10 record. He also set a school record with 23 rebounds against Yankton, and posted 18 points and 21 rebounds against Huron later in the season to earn KSFY Player-of-the-Week accolades. Roosevelt posted an 18-8 record during his sophomore year to earn a conference title and advance to the quarterfinals of the state tournament. As a freshman, Bartling helped the Rough Riders notched a 16-7 mark. In the classroom, he has been a member of the honor roll three years. He is the son of Mike and Joan Bartling.

Bartling on USD: “I think USD will be a good place for me because of how close it is to Sioux Falls. My family and friends can come see my play. I also wanted to be part of the move to Division I and help renew the rivalry with South Dakota State. I liked the coaching staff and players because I feel like I can relate with them.”
*Courtesy: USD Sports Information