NATCHITOCHES – As Northwestern State basketball alumni begin gathering for Saturday's Centennial Celebration marking 100 years of hoops for the Demons, the just-released All-Century Team of the 100 top players in school history has been complemented by the selection of honorary team captains.
 
The honorary captains include 11 added to the 50-man Legends Era (1912-1976) list of players and 10 from the Modern Era (NSU's NCAA Division I history beginning in 1976-77), rounding out 121 outstanding figures on the All-Century roster in Northwestern State's basketball history. The captains' leadership, accomplishments and contributions to the tradition of Demon basketball became apparent during research and discussion as ballots were formulated for the All-Century Team.
 
The honorary captains will be recognized during Saturday's festivities in Prather Coliseum as the Demons wrap up their 2012-13 regular season with a 3 p.m. contest against Sam Houston State. Along with the 100 All-Century Team players chosen, they will be awarded commemorative gifts during a 6 o'clock Basketball Alumni Dinner in the coliseum on Saturday night.
 
Among the 21 captains selected is current NFL offensive lineman Demetress Bell, who was part of the NSU basketball program for four seasons for the Demons (2003-07) before giving up his senior year of basketball as his football potential blossomed.
 
Another captain is Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame member Billy Montgomery, who played on the freshman team at Northwestern before launching a highly-successful high school coaching career that carried him into school administration and ultimately to the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame as an influential state legislator for 20 years.
 
Joining Bell on the Modern Era captains list are former players Kerwin Forges (2002-06), Jerrold McRae (1998-2002), B.J. Netterville (1999-2003), Patrick Wesley (1985-89), along with former team managers Kyle Bobbitt (2001-03), Jeff Raymond (1990-96), John Smith (2003-06)  and Forrest White (1999-02), and alumnus Steve Stroud, representing Demon fans.
 
Former players on the Legends Era captains list are former players Don Ashworth (1965-69), Perry Ball (1969-72), Charles “Buddy” Bates (1947-50), Odis Faust (1965-69), Dr. William Haile (1936-40), Dr. Jessie Horner (1970-72), Ronnie Lebo (1954-56), Ken Moran (1959-63), Jimmy Stewart (1967-70), joined by Montgomery and former manager Benny Arthur (1957-61).
 
NORTHWESTERN STATE  DEMON BASKETBALL ALL-CENTURY TEAM
 
HONORARY CAPTAINS
 
LEGENDS ERA
Benny Arthur, Manager, 1957-61
Don Ashworth, Guard, 1965-69
Charles “Buddy” Bates, Guard, 1947-50
Perry Ball, Forward, 1969-72
Odis Faust, Forward, 1965-69
Dr. William Haile, Guard, 1936-40
Dr. Jessie Horner, Forward, 1970-72
Ronnie Lebo, Guard, 1954-56
Billy Montgomery, Guard, 1960
Ken Moran, Forward, 1959-63
Jimmy Stewart, Forward, 1967-70
 
MODERN ERA
Demetress Bell, Center, 2003-07
Kyle Bobbitt, Manager, 2001-03
Kerwin “Fat Daddy” Forges, Forward, 2002-06
Jerrold McRae, Forward, 1998-02
B.J. Netterville, Guard, 1999-03
Jeff “Rainman” Raymond, Manager, 1990-96
John “Lil Snack” Smith, Manager, 2003-06
Steve Stroud, Supporter
Patrick Wesley, Guard, 1985-89
Forrest White, Manager, 1999-02