Red Wolves - IU East

GAS CITY, Ind. - Josh Cook fits the mold.

Indiana University East coach Mark Hester says Cook, a 6-foot-7 center from Mississinewa High School (Ind.), adds another quality athlete and quality person to the Red Wolves' 2010 men's basketball recruiting class.

Cook on May 21 signed his letter of intent to play basketball for IU East.

"He's cut from the same cloth as the rest of the kids we've gotten," Hester said.

"He's an extremely high-character kid from a winning program who values winning with team play and is willing to do the little things to win games."

Cook averaged 11.9 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game and 2.0 blocks per game as a senior to help the Indians to a 20-2 record. Mississinewa finished the regular season ranked No. 4 in Indiana's Class 3A state poll.

Cook made 70 percent of his field goals, but he considers defense the strength of his game.

"I'm hoping I can stop bigger guys and also score some against bigger guys," Cook said.

Cook has earned honors for his actions on and off of the court

He is a two-time all-conference selection.

He also won Mississinewa's sportsmanship award as a freshman and as a senior. And he won the Grant Four Tournament sportsmanship award as a senior.

He went on a mission trip to the South American nation of Peru between his sophomore and junior years.

"You're getting a great kid," Mississinewa principal Lezlie Winter told Hester during a signing ceremony May 21.

Josh is the son of David and Tracie Cook. He plans to major in business.

"I'm really excited to go and get started," Cook said. "I thought the team was very unselfish, and I liked the coaches.

"I liked the smaller campus and the idea of having my own apartment - the chance to be independent."

Cook also considered Huntington University, Anderson University, Earlham College, Indiana Wesleyan University, Sinclair Community College and Indiana Institute of Technology.

Cook is the ninth signee in IU East's 2010 men's basketball recruiting class.

He joins Ian Enriquez (Lake Station), Sean Stevens (Newburgh), Justin Gill (Munster), Cody Banet (Floyds Knobs), Terry Weathers (East Chicago), Brock (Barbary) Duke (Kokomo), Bakari Smith (Indianapolis) and Matt Trimnell (Seymour).

IU East's recruits combined for a 146-55 record as high school seniors.

"It's no coincidence you find good kids in good programs," Hester said. "We hope that translates into success at the college level."

PHOTO: Front row from left, David Cook, IU East coach Mark Hester, Josh Cook, Tracie Cook. Back row from left, Mississinewa athletic director Bryan Elliott, Mississinewa coach Chanse Young, Madison Cook, Lucas Cook and Mississinewa principal Lezlie Winter.