ROCK HILL, SC—Winthrop head women's basketball coach Bud Childers announced the signing of five players to a National Letter Of Intent on Tuesday as the 2010-11 recruiting class. The entire class consists of five freshmen, four of which are guards.
The newcomers make up the youngest recruiting class since Childers second season when he brought in six freshmen that went on to set several school records including wins in a single season and first ever postseason WNIT appearance.
Having lost 10 players to graduation in two seasons, this is a class that Childers expects to come in and play significant minutes and make immediate contributions on both ends of the court. The Lady Eagles will return two starters from a team that finished 13-18 overall and won the second most Big South games in school history with seven.
"With the graduation losses of four veteran guards this year it was critical to secure some outstanding talent in our backcourt," said Childers, who is the school's all-time leader in wins. "We had a chance to add some size and speed on our frontline as well. We feel this class will do that. Speed, quickness, and versatility abound in this class. This class has the potential to take our style in a different direction. Their collective senior years bode well for an immediate impact here at freshmen as each led their teams to great season and deep into post season play. We strive for that quality in recruiting as well. They are good students and will fit in well here at Winthrop. Kudos to our staff for some excellent recruiting work this year! We're excited to have them all join our Lady Eagles."
The list of newcomers includes Darnissa "Dee" Gray, Tiffany Charles, Dequesha McClanahan, Samiya Wright and Kristine Rishel. In addition to the five incoming freshmen, Winthrop's roster will include four sophomores, two juniors and three seniors.
Gray is a 5-7 guard out of St. Joseph's in Chicago, IL. Gray, who is from Bellwood, IL, was a two-year captain and the team's Most Valuable Player as a junior and Co-MVP as a senior. The 2010 all-state selection scored 11.3 points and had 8.8 rebounds per game as a senior playing out of position as a forward and finished her career as the school's all-time leading scorer with over 1,200 points. She scored 15.1 points and had 6.9 rebounds a game as a junior in her normal guard position. Over the last two years, Gray has been named All-Tournament in every tournament she participated in. As a junior she led St. Joseph's to its first ever Regional Championship. Gray is also a hard worker in the classroom as she posts a 4.25 grade point average.
"The first time I saw her play in Chicago I felt she was a key piece to our class," said Childers. "Strong, explosive, and confident are her strong points. She can play any guard spot. She comes from a great - tradition rich school (NBA Legend Isiah Thomas- Hoop Dreams the movie...) She led her team deep into the state play-offs only to lose to the eventual state champs while becoming the school's all time leading scorer. She also is the top rated shot putter and triple jumper in the state of Illinois. She possesses great athleticism and strength. Her high school coach, Jim Maley has prepped her well. We think she will impact our program right away."
Charles is a 5-8 guard out of Opelika, FL where she played high school hoops for Monsignor Pace. Another good student-athlete, Charles has a 4.0-plus GPA and was an All-State Second Team selection in 2010. The two-year captain also was a 2009 and 2010 First Team All-Dade County selection and one of the nominees for 2009 Dade County Female Athlete of the Year. As a junior Charles averaged 17.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.5 steals, 3.3 assists and 1.5 blocks a game. Her senior season she averaged 17.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 steals and 3.2 assists and became a member of the 1,000 point club at Monsignor Pace.
"Tiffany may be the best athlete we have ever recruited here to Winthrop," stated Childers. "Speed, quickness, jumping ability, etc.. When our staff showed her to me I was amazed at how intense and explosive she was. Being a lefty definitely helps her as well. She too can play all the guard spots. She even jumps center in high school! She led her team to within a game of the state finals while earning all state honors as its leading scorer and one the best ever at MPHS. Under coach Kellina Swan's tutelage Tiffany has played in one of the elite programs in Florida. Tiffany will be counted upon to bring that experience here to Winthrop. We are excited to have her in this class."
McClanahan is a 5-8 guard out of Oak Ridge, TN where she played high school at Oak Ridge. In 2010 she was named to the Tennessee Sports Writers Group AAA All-State First Team as she led her team in scoring with 15.4 points per game. McClanahan was named the regular season MVP of the district, as well as selected to the All-District and All-Region Tournament Teams. She scored over 1,000 points in her career and also participated in the Basketball Coaches Association Of Tennessee All-Star Game.
"Quesha is a game changer," said Childers. "Playing in one of the top programs in the country for legendary coach Jill Prudden has prepared her as well for the college game as any player could hope for. Her skills, instincts, and court savvy are excellent. She's used to big games and tough atmospheres. She's a winner in every way (HS has won over 100 games in her career and appeared in two state championships.). She earned 1st team all state and led her team in scoring. She is a tremendous passer with great creativity. She wants the ball under pressure because she is a winner."
Wright, out of Oswego, IL, is a 5-9 guard that played at Oswego High School where she ended her career as the second-leading scorer in the history of the Oswego program. As a senior she averaged 14.6 points per game and was named Second Team All-State by the AP and Illinois Basketball Coaches Association. She was the Southwest Prairie Conference MVP, the Walter Payton Roundhouse Player of the Year, and the Aurora Beacon News Area Player of the Year as a senior. Wright was also named the "Best Defensive Guard" in the state in on publication as well.
Samiya is the total package at point guard," stated Childers. "Her speed, court presence, handles, and decision making have been developed well under coach Chad Pohlmann's program. She can score in a variety of ways including possessing a great mid-range game. She's a student of the game that brings a Midwestern passion for the game of basketball. She led her team to state finals while earning all state honors. She understands the role of the point guard as well as I've seen in recent years. Her defense can be stifling at times for opposing guards. She's a winner and always plays to win! We are thrilled to have her and know she is going to be a real key to this class at point guard."
The only post player of the class is Rishel, out of Middle Creek High School in Apex, NC. The 6-3 forward earned Academic All-Conference, First Team All-Conference and Third Team All-District as a senior. She averaged 11.1 points and 8.1 rebounds in her senior season and finished her career ranked second all-time in blocked shots at Middle Creek with 82.
Childers said coach (Chris) Vozab came to him last spring saying, "we have to get Kristine on our team" and after seeing her they all agreed. "She's a female 'Tyler Hansbrough' in many ways," added Childers. "She's tough, agile, skilled, and improving. She's a prototype four player in our system. She is a natural leader on the court and very versatile. She can post you up down low as well as play out on the floor. Coach Petty's disciplined program has readied her for the next step. She gives us the options in our system that we didn't have last year. She led her team to the Region tournament and earned many awards along the way. She'll be an impact player to watch for next year."
