By Mark Lewis
Local Sports Journal

Louisiana Tech is heading the the NIT quarterfinals.

Chris Anderson

Chris Anderson

And a big reason for that is Reeths-Puffer grad Chris Anderson.

Anderson, who has averaged 12 points and six rebounds per game this season, busted loose for 18 points, eight rebounds, and two steals in Saturday’s exciting second-round 79-71 victory over Georgia.

Anderson’s Bulldogs (29-7) have now tied a program-record for wins in a season.

Anderson was a force at Reeths-Puffer, where he led the Rockets to an 11-9 record in (what was then) a very tough OK Green Conference schedule. He averaged 19 points and 13 boards per game as a junior, and made the Class A All-State Honorable Mention his list.

His senior year, 2009-2010, Anderson was rated the 67th best small forward in the nation by ESPN’s recruit rankings and garnered McDonald’s All-American honors.

And he’s still piling up the honors, this time from Anderson’s head coach, LA Tech headman Mike White.

“Chris Anderson was arguably the best player on the floor,” said White, to the Associated Press. “I thought offensively and defensively, using his athleticism and his elite quickness, getting by guys and getting loose balls, he was phenomenal today.

Last season, Anderson averaged nearly five points and nearly four rebounds per game in under 15 minutes of action.

Prior to LA Tech, Anderson played at Weatherford College, averaging 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists in two All-Conference winning seasons, while leading Weatherford to the Region V tournament.

While at Reeths-Puffer, Anderson was guided by then Rocket head coach Dale Stewart.

Stewart now coaches at Muskegon Heights Academy, leading the Tigers this season to a surprising and exciting Class C state semifinals appearance.

Anderson’s Bulldogs will take on the winner of Monday’s Georgetown/Florida State game.