RICHMOND, Ind. - Nick Bollenbacher, who ranked among the state's top 10 scorers during his senior year at Hanover Central High School in Cedar Lake, Ind., has signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Indiana University East starting with the 2012-13 school year.

Red Wolves coach Mark Hester announced the signing April 29.

Bollenbacher is a 6-1 guard who averaged 24.9 points, 6.3 assists and 6.7 steals per game as a senior

"We expect a lot of big things from Nick," Hester said. "As far as competing against other schools for him, he's one of the recruits we've worked the hardest to get.

"We are excited about him coming here and expect him to have a great career. He is a student of the game and an extremely smart kid who is going to pick things up quickly."

Bollenbacher established Hanover Central's career and single-game school records for points, assists and steals. He made numerous all-state and all-area teams.

He helped the Wildcats to a 42-24 record over his last three seasons.

Nick is the son of Rod Bollenbacher and Jerri Jung.

He plans to major in accounting.

"I chose IU East because of Coach Hester," he said. "I've always enjoyed Coach Hester, and he has always been a guy I could talk to from Day 1.

"In addition to him, after talking to the guys on the team it feels like I've already been here for a year and played with the team. Everyone is very nice and I feel like I knew them before I met them."

Bollenbacher joins Jeff Hopper of Cascade and Jason Ray of Martinsville in IU East's 2012 men's basketball recruiting class.

IU East is an NAIA Division II program. The Red Wolves went 24-8 this past season and advanced to the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship for the second consecutive year.

Nick Bollenbacher high school highlights: