Post Player From South Carolina Signs With Long Beach State

The Long Beach State basketball recruiting class grew to five Wednesday as Scott Catania, a South Carolina community college post player, signed a letter of intent with the Big West Conference tournament champion.

Catania, 6 feet 9, played at Spartanburg (S.C.) Methodist College. Catania should compete for time at center and power forward for Long Beach, which loses All-Big West center Joe McNaull and talented forward Terrance O’Kelley to graduation.

Long Beach signed three players during the early signing period in November. Compton College forward Marcus Johnson (6-8), Long Beach Wilson High forward Michael Batiste (6-9) and Lynwood forward D’Cean Bryant (6-6) might play major roles next season.

Swingman Corey Saffold (6-7) transferred from Oklahoma during the season. He must sit out the first semester and will have 2 1/2 seasons of eligibility.