Panther Basketball adds Kendrick and Welton to roster

UPEI Men's Basketball Head Coach Tim Kendrick is pleased to announce the addition of Nova Scotian Jake Kendrick and Charlottetown native Kyle Welton to the Panthers roster for the 2014 season.

Kendrick, a six-foot-one guard and son of Coach Kendrick, will join the Panthers basketball team as a red shirt to work on his development, while six-foot-four Welton will be looking to crack the active roster. Both players come from strong college and high school basketball programs and were teammates on Holland College Hurricanes men's basketball team last season. In their high school basketball days, Kendrick was one of only a handful of players to score 2,000 career points in the history of his high school, Horton High School, while Welton was a huge contributor to Island powerhouse Charlottetown Rural High School. Both played key roles in the Hurricane's last two ACAA Championships and are proud recent graduates of Holland College.

Coach Kendrick is very pleased to add his newest Panthers to the fold, 'I am very happy to add both of these fine young men to our program. Both Kyle and Jake bring a championship pedigree, and are exceptionally committed team players,' he said. 'Their positivity and 'team first' attitudes on-and-off the court are stellar, and they are both proven winners. Equally as important, they are committed to their studies as well. We expect that these young men will make immediate contributions in terms of their work ethic in practice, and their overall commitment to our entire team atmosphere.'

Kendrick added that Welton is an exceptionally hard worker who brings great energy to all that he does. 'We know that we are getting a character type guy that will always do what's best for the team. He is a physical defender and tough,' he said.

When it comes to Jake, Kendrick was not shy to commend his son's talents. 'Jake might be the smartest basketball player I have ever coached. He has the ability to make his teams better by simply providing what is needed at any given time. He has played in a number of big games, and is a clutch performer,' he said. 'His high 40 per cents from the three-point range is obviously a potent asset as well. We are delighted to welcome these two highly competitive and character players to our Panther family.'

Both Kendrick and Welton are excited to be joining UPEI. 'I want to thank Coach Kendrick for giving me the opportunity to play for UPEI. After playing for Holland College and graduating this past spring, I am very excited to continue my academic and basketball career, and so happy that UPEI is offering me the chance to do that,' said Welton. 'I have grown up around this program my whole life, and now having the chance to be part of it, is very special to me. I will work my hardest to take full advantage of this great opportunity and will never let down my future teammates or coaches.'

'I am really looking forward to joining the Panthers, and of course, playing for my father again,' said Kendrick. 'I know his expectations of his players are simply that you must bring your best attitude and effort everyday, and I certainly will.'

'The addition of Jake and Kyle is another great example of how student-athletes can successfully complete two years at Holland College earning their diploma, and then move onto the University level to complete two years for their degree. I welcome both Jake and Kyle to the University of Prince Edward Island,' added UPEI Athletics and Recreation Director Bill Schurman.

Welton will study business at UPEI, while Kendrick is enrolled in the arts program.

For information:
Ron Annear
UPEI Athletics and Recreation
(902) 566-0991, annear@upei.ca