Spoden Headed To St Scholastica

May 2, 2012

Northland Sports Online

Head St. Scholastica Men’s Basketball Coach David Staniger announced today that Grand Rapids’ Mike Spoden will attend the College of St. Scholastica in the fall and intends to play basketball for the Saints next season.

Spoden competed in three straight Minnesota State High School Basketball Tournaments with the Thunderhawks. He was also part of the Minnesota Comets Basketball AAU Organization for two years and won the 2010 Minnesota State AAU championship. Spoden was named by MaxPreps as one of the top 60 players in the state.

“We are very excited to have Mike become a member of our CSS community and our basketball family,” said Coach Staniger. “Mike is such a good person; he has a great attitude and work ethic. He has been a key contributor on championship teams and has played well in the state tournament. At his size, he has a great ability to defend, rebound and run the floor which will be a perfect fit for our style on the court. Mike is an outstanding student and will excel in the classroom as well.”

Spoden was not only a team captain for the Thunderhawks basketball team, but is also the jumping captain for the track & field team. An honor roll student, Spoden was looking for the perfect fit athletically and academically and St. Scholastica was the choice for him.

“St Scholastica had the right combination of a stellar nursing program and a great basketball program,” said Spoden. “I look forward to playing for Coach Staniger and want to contribute to the winning tradition and pride of St. Scholastica.”

Spoden was named to the Northwoods Invitational All-Tournament team and also competed in the Minnesota-Wisconsin Border Battle and the Pride to the Northeast All-Star games. He averaged 9.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and one block per game during his senior season. He shot 59-percent from the floor and was second on the team in charges taken.

The Saints finished tied for second in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) last season with a 10-4 record (13-13 overall). CSS will return two-time first team all-conference selection Brett Tester (Andover, Minn. /Andover HS), along with second team All-UMAC choice Jonah Dahlman (Braham, Minn. /Braham HS).

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