John Tyler senior Martese Christian and Ga Quay Miller drove to Cedar Valley College in Lancaster recently to participate in an open gym.

The two Lion basketball standouts were prompted to do this by former teammates Keaunte Humber and Darren Farmer.

Well, with Humber and Miller standing behind them looking on, Christian and Miller signed letters of intent to Cedar Valley on Wednesday at the Lions Den. They join Jacksonville’s Raybon Riden as East Texans on the NJCAA Division III Cedar Valley Suns.

“I wasn’t sure I would like it, but (Humber and Miller) said I would, so I went up there and I liked the environment, the people; it was pretty cool,” Christian said. “It’s also cool that I have some (friends) already there.”

Miller, listed at 6-8, was undecided on a school despite interest from out-of-state, so he went with Christian to the open gym at Cedar Valley.

“I knew this was going to happen because I wasn’t going to stop (until I had a signing day like today),” Miller said. “When I went to Cedar Valley, they did not know anything about me, but afterward, (the coach) was very interested, And with (Christian) going, that’s my brother, so I am happy.”

Cedar Valley reached the Region V tournament semifinals last year. Suns coach Chris Carter felt a weakness that needed to be addressed was size. Carter said Miller helps with that immediately.

“I am originally from East Texas and always try to get East Texas kids. When Ga Quay came up (for open gym), his size and ability to dominate on the boards really struck me out,” Carter said. “We were missing that last year. Martese’s quickness on defense, I am a defensive coach, also struck me.

“I think they are both great young men and based on what I hear from everybody have great character and that is also what I am looking for.”

John Tyler coach Cedeno Clark has now welcomed Carter to his gym two years in a row. Clark believes Cedar Valley will provide a great opportunity for Miller and Christian to grow as players on the court and students and men off of it.

“It’s outstanding and that is what we strive to do is give our student athletes a chance to continue their education and also play basketball at the next level,” Clark said. “There were quite a few coaches who wanted (Miller) once we put the information out there about his (wingspan) and size, and he has a lot of room for growth in his game, which is great for him because the sky is the limit for him.

“We’ve told Martese (what sets him apart) is the speed he can bring to the table and that is what can hopefully take him to the next level. It will be interesting to see him grow and become even better than what he’s been with us for the last few years.”

Lions Tales: Despite being a Division 3 Juco, Carter said the Suns already have Division 1 Kilgore College and Tyler Junior College on the non-conference schedule for next year … The Suns went 12-19 overall and 2-10 in Region V conference play … The school is located in Lancaster.

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