May 14, 2009 – Two three-point sharpshooters have signed to play with the Truman Men’s Basketball team next season. Tom Norton, from Bloomington (Ill.) Central Catholic, and Matt Patterson, from South Shelby (Mo.), hit a combined 183 three-pointers season as high school seniors.
“This guard tandem reminds me of earlier days with Brian Basich and Scott Mathews followed by Andy Guethle and Mike Peterson, and not to mention Chip Sodemann and Austin Kirby,” said Head Coach Jack Schrader. “They know how to win the close ones which is a key component to our successful teams.”
Norton (5-9, Guard, Bloomington, Ill.) was the 2009 Illinois three-point champion and set a school record with 90 treys his senior season. He averaged 20 points a game along with six assists and four steals while earning his third straight all-State selection.
Norton scored 1,611 career points while helping his high school team to a 94-20 record over the past four seasons. His 313 career three-pointers place him in the top 20 in Illinois High School basketball.
He has been an all-Pantagraph Area first-team selection, a three-time State Farm all-Tournament team pick and was named the most valuable player on his high school squad.
“Tom Norton brings a strong seriousness and effectiveness to the court as a guard,” said Schrader. “He is a prolific shooter and above all is a winner. He does the things necessary and at the right time to make that key contribution to the team.”
Patterson (5-11, Guard, Shelbina, Mo.) leaves as the Cardinals all-time leading scorer with 1,918 points over the past four seasons. He started all 107 games during his high school career and averaged 17.9 points per game including a career high of 48 against Westran High School earlier in 2009. Patterson was a two-time first-team all-state selection.
Patterson hit 93 three-pointers during his senior season with twice connecting on eight three-pointers a game. He was a four-year all-conference and all-district performer. Among his other accolades were mentions on the KRES All-Star squad, KMZU Dream Team, Quincy Herald Whig All-Star team, KHQA All-Do-or-Die Team and the KHQA Player of the Year following his junior season.
“Matt Patterson is a very tough competitor, who in the words of former Bulldog and now area high school coach Brian Brown is relentless,” said Schrader. “He has very strong guard skills and is a great shooter. His enthusiasm and personality are what you want and need in order to be successful.”