LIMA - The University of Northwestern Ohio men's basketball team recently signed three players for the 2012-13 season: Jason Pottkotter of Fort Recovery High School; Austin Hintz of Greenwich South Central High School; and Derrick Tate from Tidewater Community College in Tidewater, Virginia.

Pottkotter was a three-year varsity basketball player at Fort Recovery, and a starter for two of those seasons. The Indians rolled up a 54-20 record in those three seasons, winning two Midwest Athletic Conference titles, two sectional championships, a district title and advancing to a regional championship game; they ended the two seasons ranked in the top-10 in the final Associated Press state Division IV poll.

Pottkotter was named honorable mention All-MAC twice, Best Defense for the Indians, Most Improved Player, Indian Award, Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award, Shane Long Memorial Scholarship and United State Scholar Athelte.

"Jason brings stability and a solid demeanor to our guard position," UNOH men's basketball coach Chris Adams said. "He is a multi-sport high school standout who starred as a quarterback and was also instrumental in his basketball team's high level of success over the last two years. Jason's physical strength and toughness at the wing will help us. He is a quality person, along with being a good athlete, which is something we value very highly at UNOH."

A 6-foot-5 forward, Tate is a strong presence inside expected to help shore up the Racers down low. He will be a junior after playing two seasons at Tidewater.

"Derrick really gives us a physical presence on our front line," Adams said. "He has the ability to step out to the perimeter and shoot mixed with a strong post-up game. His strength and maturity will really help us this season."

Hintz is a 6-foot-5 wing expected to help the Racers along the perimeter. As a senior, he averaged 19.9 points, hitting 47 percent of his field goals and 84 percent from the free throw line, along with 10.1 rebounds, 3.4 blocks, 1.8 assists and 2.8 steals.

Hintz was twice named first-team All-Firelands Conference, first and second team All-District 6 and an alternate player for the North-South All-Ohio All-Star Game. He was also a first-team All-Conference wide receiver and defensive back for the South Central football team.