If winning back to back Big V Championships wasn’t difficult enough, the Ringwood Hawks have already started to look towards season 2018 and the almost impossible task of a “three peat.” This week the Hawks have announced the signing of new import, Minnesota native Scottie Stone.

The Hawks had been forced to look for a replacement for Big V All-Star Mike McCahey who decided to stay in New York and join the police force.

“Mike was great for us, he was an All-Star and easily one of the best players in the League.” Hawks Coach Ken Harrington said.

“We tried to talk him into another season, but he was ready to get on with his career back home, he will be missed.”

With McCahey out of the picture, the Hawks reached out to their many contacts in the USA College system and came across the 6’4 Stone who had recently graduated from D2 powerhouse St.Cloud State University in Minnesota. Stone was a star in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, one of the best Division 2 conferences and helped his team to a 19 win season as a senior. The Hawks have had great success in recruiting players out of the NSIC including Ryan Miller, Mark Rich, Kevin Ratzsch and Trent Zomer.

In his 4 years at College, Stone (from Melrose, Minnesota) left a huge foot print on his Schools record books. Most notably, Stone graduated as the School’s all-time leader in made three pointers. His 289 career makes has him clearly ahead of the rest and his 109 makes as a senior is also a single season record. He also finished 3rd in career scoring and nailed an impressive 93% of his free throws, another record.

In a recent poll of the 2016/2017 College season, Stone was voted as the 7th best perimeter shooter in the Country (All Division 2 Schools). He is clearly an elite shooter, the Hawks Coaches plan to put his talent to good use.

“We are an unselfish team that spreads the floor and opens up shooters.” Harrington said.

“Scottie will love the space and will give us an explosive scorer that can change a game in a hurry.”

Stone admits though that he does not know a huge amount about Melbourne but did have a cousin who lived here and told him a few things.

“My cousin said Melbourne has some very cool music and art, but I am a Midwest boy and cannot wait to get to the beaches.”

But when he hits the court, Stone says he will add a little more than just perimeter shooting. He says he has worked hard over the last few seasons to round out his abilities.

“I guess I was known as a shooter but I believe I have developed all areas of the game. Hopefully my craftiness and length with create some issues for the defenders.”

Stone will arrive in Melbourne in late January and join his team mates for pre-season training.

 

Click here for Scottie's highlight video.