Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University head men’s basketball coach Brian Good announces the signings of three student-athletes to study and play basketball at Wingate University. The three student-athletes will join five other signees as the South Atlantic Conference member Bulldogs prepare for the 2009-10 season. 

The Bulldogs have added rising sophomore guard Tracy Parks (St. Petersburg, Fla.), a transfer from the University of South Alabama. In addition, Wingate has inked two rising freshmen: Eddie Lewis (Rocky Point, N.C.) and Paidrick Matilus (Boca Raton, Fla.).

Tracy Parks
6-0, Guard
St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg Catholic HS)

As a senior at St. Petersburg Catholic, Parks was a first team All-State choice for the Barons following his senior season. A two-year letterman, Parks averaging 25.3 points per game, 6.3 assists per game and 2.8 rebounds per game his senior campaign.

The district Player of the Year, Parks was voted All-Suncoast and All-County as a senior. Parks participated in the Florida East-West All-Star Game after his illustrious prep career, garnering MVP honors. He also competed in the state’s Three-Point Showdown contest as a senior.

In his final season, Parks shot 46 percent from the field and 72.9 percent at the foul line as the Barons compiled a 17-10 overall record. The 2007-08 campaign included a first-round victory in the state 3A tournament for Parks and his teammates. St. Petersburg Catholic finished 17-8 overall his junior year, advancing to the state playoffs.

Parks played his final season at the club level with the Largo Magic, helping the squad to a third-place finish in the state AAU tournament. He will have three years of eligibility for the Bulldogs.

Eddie Lewis
6-0, Guard
Rocky Point, N.C. (Heide Trask HS)

Lewis was named Heide Trask High School Male Athlete of the Year in May of 2009. The Pender Chronicle named Lewis its Male Athlete of the Year as well. Lewis was a member of the basketball, football and track teams at Heide Trask. His basketball coach was Scott Slocum.

On the hardwood, Lewis averaged 17.2 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per game, 3.2 steals per game and 2.7 assists per game following his senior season. He was an All-Conference selection in both basketball and football during his time at Heide Trask. Lewis exhibited his versatility by qualifying for the 1A state track meet in May.

Lewis earned the David Diggs Memorial Athletic Scholarship Award during his senior year. In addition, he received the Heide Trask Senior Spirit Award.

Paidrick Matilus
6-2, Guard
Boca Raton, Fla. (Grandview Preparatory School)

Paidrick Matilus completed a solid career at Grandview Preparatory School by earning honorable mention All-State honors as a senior. Thanks to the efforts of Matilus and his teammates, the Pride posted a 28-1 overall record for head coach Joe Dawson in 2008-09.

As a senior, Matilus averaged 14.4 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game and 3.0 assists per game. He earned first team All-Palm Beach County following his senior campaign.

In the early signing period, the Bulldogs added five student-athletes to their roster. The new Wingate team members include guard-forward Quan Alexander (Charlotte, N.C./Myers Park HS), forward Jesse Jackson (Fayetteville, N.C./E.E. Smith HS), guard Ethan Kincaid (Morganton, N.C./Freedom HS), forward Mike Tankersley (Hampton, Ga./Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy) and forward Odell Turner (Charlotte, N.C./Myers Park HS).

WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a private four-year co-educational institution of 2,129 students, offering active learning opportunities through personalized instruction, international study, faith development, career discovery and community service.

Wingate offers 40 undergraduate majors in arts and sciences, business, education, fine arts, music and sport sciences. It also offers graduate degrees in business, education, physical education, physician assistant studies, sport administration. In addition, the school awards the doctor of pharmacy and the doctor of education degrees.

Bulldog student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past three years.

Wingate University is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000’s with 34 honorees during this millennium. Only Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and Truman State (Mo.) University have produced more Academic All-America® honorees during this time period. Wingate’s 43 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools.

(University of South Alabama assistant director of media relations Matt Horne contributed information to this article.)