Posted: May 25, 2010
The newest Bruins are Jeremy Cruise, a 5-11 senior guard from St. Edward, Neb. (Nebraska-Kearney/St. Edward HS) and Lyvonte Eskridge, a 6-3 junior guard/forward from Chicago, Ill. (Oakton CC/Thornton Fractional North HS).
“I look for both Jeremy and Lyvonte to make an immediate impact to the program,” said Paben. "Both of these players are great additions to the team”.
Cruise, the son of Kent and Darlene Cruise, played three seasons at the University of Nebraska at Kearney where he averaged eight points, three rebounds, and two assists per game while connecting on 124 career 3-pointers. He was named co-captain as a junior in 2009-10.
An excellent student, Cruise was named to the academic all-RMAC second team in 2008-09 and to the honorable mention squad as a junior. He was a member of the Dean's List five semesters.
As a senior at St. Edwards High School, Cruise averaged 20 points and five rebounds per game while collecting 84 3-pointers in leading St. Edward to the Nebraska Class D-2 state title. He finished his career with 1,750 points and 262 3-pointers and was named to the Nebraska all-state team twice.
Eskridge, the son of Ramona Eskridge, average 12.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while playing two seasons at Oakton Community College, where he was a second team all-Skyway Conference selection and a two-year team captain.
Eskridge played his final high school season at Chicago's Thorton Fractional North High School under coach Tim Bankston. He was a three-time team team captain during his high school career and a two-time all-conference honoree. Eskridge was named to Illinois' Top 100 Class in 2007.
Cruise and Eskridge join three earlier Bruin signees: 6-4 junior guard Donald Jones (Omaha, Neb./Central CC/Central HS), 5-11 freshman guard Benjamin Imig (Bellevue, Neb./Omaha Bryan HS), and 6-4 freshman forward Derrick Davis (Bellevue, Neb./West HS).
The Bruins finished the 2009-10 season with a 28-8 overall record, advancing to the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament semifinals, while capturing the MCAC regular season and tournament titles.
