FRANKLIN FURNACE — Big things come in small packages.

Case in point is the Green Bobcats 5-foot-9 senior point guard Derek Lewis.

Despite being dwarfed by opposing players, Lewis still put up some impressive numbers during his high school career.

His accomplishments didn’t go unnoticed as he signed to play for the Bears basketball team as Shawnee State University.

“Derek is a super young man and he makes the people around him better,” Shawnee State head coach Jeff Hamilton said.

“He’s a natural point guard who understands the game after playing for his father (coach Kevin Lewis) in high school. He is an excellent student and I expect him to be one of the hardest working and most dedicated members of our squad.”

Derek Lewis, the second player to sign with the Bears, enjoyed an outstanding senior season. He averaged 16.9 points and 6.5 assists per game. He was named first team All-Southern Ohio Conference, first team Coaches District 14 and second team Associated Press All-Southeast District as well as All-Ohio.

Besides his playing skills, Lewis was name to the Ohio Basketball Coaches Association All-Ohio Academic team.

“I hope I can come in and learn the system, get strong and work my way into the rotation,” Derek Lewis said. “I have a great opportunity to get a good education as well as an opportunity to keep playing basketball.”

Coach Lewis said Derek fit well into the Green system and that experienced should help him in college.

“With our system, it was about the team and not individual statistics. Derek was asked to do a lot more for us this past season and he did. He was very unselfish and played his role,” coach Lewis said.

Shawnee State is a member of the American Mideast Conference. The Bears were 10-20 last season including a 6-10 conference record.