NU Hoops Blog -- Feb. 2012

by Shamus McKnight (@huskerhoops)
Friday, Feb. 17, 2012

With the regular season winding down and the Huskers off until tomorrow's game against Illinois, this week was a good week to update fans on the Huskers' five signees from the fall.  All of the stats are through last weekend's action. In addition, fans can watch Benny Parker in action tonight (Feb. 17) at 7 p.m. central. (click here for video)

Fahro Alihodzic averaged 15.2 points on 68 percent shooting and 7.5 rebounds at Southeastern Community College this season. He was in double figures in 15 of 16 contests, including five double-doubles. The 6-foot-10 forward's best performance was a 26-point, 13-rebound effort Illinois Central College when he was 11-of-13 from the field.

Keith Coleman has enjoyed a solid freshman year at Marshalltown Community College, averaging 8.4 points per game on 59 percent shooting from the floor and 7.5 rebounds per game.  He has three double-doubles on the year, including a 17-point, 13-rebound performance against Southwestern Community College.

Benny Parker has been one of the top players in the Kansas City area this year, leading Sumner Academy to a 14-3 record heading into the week. On the season, he is averaging 22.6 points per game over his first 17 games, dishing out 5.9 assists and recording 3.9 steals per game. He is shooting 53 percent from the field and has nearly a 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Parker was named the MVP of the Spring Hill Invitational following a 41-point, seven-assist performance in a semifinal win over Spring Hill last month.

Arguably the top player in the KC metro area this year, Shavon Shields is averaging  20.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game for Olathe Northwest High School this season, as the Ravens are 15-1 on the year and ranked third in the state's largest class. The 6-foot-6 guard is shooting 65.6 percent from the field on the season, including 42.3 percent from 3-point range.  Shields had a season-high 31 points against Olathe East on Feb. 10, one of 10 20-point games this season and had 12 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in a win over Shawnee Mission East.

Nebraska's final fall signee, Jarran Young has helped McLennan CC to a 22-4 record and No. 15 national ranking in the latest NJCAA national poll. The 6-foot-5 wing is 5.3 points per game on 44 percent shooting, 5.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Young leads his team in scoring and blocked shots and is second in rebounds as he averages 22.5 minutes per game for a team that puts up 80.7 points per game.