(Editor's note: Montana State-Northern media release)
HAVRE -- MSU-Northern head coach Shawn Huse has announced the signing of Allen Sims of Lakeland (Kirtland, Ohio) Junior College. He helped the school, located on the north end of Cleveland, to two remarkable seasons. He shot 54 percent from the floor, 42 percent from 3, while averaging nine points per game and four rebounds per game.
"With his exceptional athleticism, hustle, and shooting ability, he can play multiple spots on offense and defend every position on the floor," Huse said. "He is a smart, coachable player that continues to pick things up quick with each year he has played. A gym rat through and through, and with his length and jumping ability, he can play big or small in the half-court or full-court. He is a great-attitude type of guy that provides whatever a team asks of him."
Lakeland won the 2019 and 2020 district championships in his two years with the Lakers. They qualified for the NJCAA DII national tournament that was canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak and advanced to the NJCAA DII Quarterfinals last season. In the past two years, they won 48 games overall and 22 in conference play.
"Allen is a competitor, a total team player, and was a starter this year on a well-balanced squad that was full of talent," added Huse. "He is a great guy both on and off the floor. Allen loves what MSU-Northern has to offer, and is excited to come out here and help us be successful. And we are excited to land another student-athlete with that mentality. We look forward to watching him further enhance what our group of great guys are all about."
Sims joins a Lights squad that finished 20-12 in 2019-2020. They won eight out of their last 11 games and narrowly missed an at-large bid to the NAIA national tournament. MSUN advanced to the semifinal round of the Frontier Conference tournament before falling 73-68 at eventual champion Lewis-Clark State.
