CTC men’s basketball program signs two players for 2011-12 season

(Marietta, Ga. – May 3, 2011) – The Chattahoochee Tech men’s basketball program announced the signing of two players for the 2011-12 season. The Golden Eagles welcome 6-foot-4 guard/forward Devarick Houston from Mays High School in Atlanta, and 6-3 guard Jacoby Patton from New Mexico State/Southern Polytechnic.

Houston enters the program after excelling at an open tryout session in April. He averaged 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.2 steals a game as a senior for head coach Floyd Mack. Houston was a key player for a top-notch Mays program and helped the Raiders reach the Class AAAA championship game in 2010.

“We feel as if Devarick will bring a great deal of versatility to our team,” said CTC head coach David Archer. “He is long, athletic, and can put the ball on the floor. He has a penchant for getting his hands around the ball defensively, which will create much-needed stops for us.”

Houston figures to factor in at both the guard and forward positions for CTC.

“Devarick’s the type of kid that is very coachable,” said Mack, his high school coach. “I think he’s going to be one heck of a defensive player. Any time we went up against a real tough offensive player, Devarick would get the defensive assignment.”

“I’m going to be able to step in as a freshman and contribute to the team, but I know I’m going to have to work very hard,” Houston said. “I’m ready to be dedicated in going to the weight room, going to the gym, and in my academics.”

Patton, who grew up in the Atlanta area before transferring to McMain High School in New Orleans for his senior year, began his college career as a preferred walk-on at New Mexico State for head coach Reggie Theus. Patton redshirted for the Lobos in his freshman season of 2009-10; he did not play basketball for Southern Poly.

“Jacoby is a hard-nosed defender who really gets after it on the defensive side of the ball,” Archer said. “We are making an effort to have a stronger defending team and he will bolster that. He is also a very steady perimeter shooter, who with his size can get shots off over defenders."

In his senior year in high school, Patton averaged 15 points, six rebounds and four assists per game.

“I hope to come in next year as a 2 or 3, a defensive specialist and a shooter, and help the program,” Patton said.

Chattahoochee Tech, which is entering its second year of National Junior College Athletic Association play, went 16-14 in its first season as a sanctioned program and made the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association conference playoffs.