Published: May 13, 2008 03:05 pm         

Women's basketball inks 9 for 2008-09; signing class ranks 54th nationally

MOREHEAD, Ky. - The Morehead State women's basketball coaching staff and head coach Mike Bradbury have announced the signing of nine players to national letters of intent for the 2008-2009 season. The group includes a solid mixture of talent and experience and features four high school recruits and five junior college transfers. Along with three Fall additions, the class has been ranked 54th in the nation by the Collegiate Girl's Basketball Report.

The newest members of the program from the high school ranks are: Abby Steele (Central City, Ky./Muhlenberg North High School), Kristin Raker (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian High School), Linda Dixon (Radcliffe, Ky./North Hardin High School), and Trenicia Henderson (Winter Haven, Fla./Winter Haven High School).

  The junior college transfers are: Tiffanie Stephens (Columbia, S.C/Daytona Beach Community College), Tiffany Hamilton (Winter Haven, Fla./Central Florida Community College), Deja Watson (Westerville, Ohio/Northeast Community College), Erica Coleman (Lexington, Ky./Cincinnati State), and Connie Buchanan (Ringgold, Ga./Chattanooga State).

"I'm very excited about this class. With the mixture of high school and junior college recruits, it's like we got two recruiting classes," said Bradbury, talking about his first signing class at Morehead State. "Overall, this group is very athletic and dedicated to being good basketball players. They are also very strong academically and are good character people. I couldn't be happier with our first recruiting class."

Steele is a 5-7 point guard who averaged 16.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game for Muhlenberg North High School. She was named First-Team All-Region by the Messenger-Inquirer and was also named to the 5/3 Bank All-Tournament Team. She is a two-time 10th district and 3rd Region All-Tournament selection that holds the school record for career steals with 316 and ranks third in school history with 630 rebounds and 396 assists. She also scored more than 1,400 points and was a part of four state tournament teams. Steele posted a 4.0 GPA in high school and is looking to enroll in the psychology program at MSU.

"Abby is an athletic point guard with unlimited three-point range. Her ability to make every team she plays on better is her best attribute," said Bradbury.

Raker is a 5-10 guard/forward combo who finished her prep career averaging 13.4 points and 4.5 rebounds at Perry Meridian High School. She earned Third-Team All-State honors from Hoosier Basketball Magazine and was a two-time All-County and All-Conference selection. Following her senior year, she was picked to participate in the Jermaine O'Neal/Indiana Pacer City-County All-Star Game. Raker was her team's MVP her junior and senior seasons. She was also a four-year letterwinner in cross country. She received the Heather Norris Scholarship Award in 2008.

  "Kristin is a great perimeter shooter with deep range," said Bradbury. "She's also a big wing player who can rebound."

  Dixon is a 5-7 guard who was North Hardin High School's MVP in 2007-2008. She averaged 12.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game last year. She was named twice to the 17th district All-Tournament Team, the All-Region squad for Region Five and the All-Tournament Team for Region Five. As a junior, Dixon led NHHS to the 5th Region title, a spot in the KHSAA State Tournament quarterfinals, and a 25-8 record. She was also named First-Team All-Area in volleyball following her junior and senior seasons. A great student, she received the NHHS Mark of Excellence.

  "Linda is a very athletic wing player who plays bigger than her size. She is a great rebounding guard who has unlimited potential," said Bradbury.

Henderson is a 5-8 point guard who started on Winter Haven High School's nationally ranked team. As a senior, she averaged 8.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals while being one of the team's top defenders and defensive stoppers. In her high school career, she played in three state championships and helped her team win the state title in 2007.

"Trenicia is a very good shooter and the consummate team player," said Bradbury. "Her athleticism allows her to be a good rebounder as a well as a good defender."

Stephens is a 5-8 guard who compiled 14.3 points and 3.0 rebounds per game at Daytona Beach Community College. She shot 42 percent from three-point range and 75 percent at the free throw line. Stephens was a First-Team All-Conference honoree in the Mid-Florida Conference.

"Tiffanie is an athletic wing player who can really shoot it. Her experience and work ethic will really help us," said Bradbury.

Hamilton is a 5-8 guard who averaged 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game at Central Florida Community College. She was named First-Team All-Conference while shooting 37 percent from three-point range. Hamilton was named to the conference All-Tournamant Team after scoring 20 points in the finals against the eventual national champion Gulf Coast Community College.

"Tiffany is a very athletic guard who can score the ball in a variety of ways. She's a good three-point shooter and an excellent ball handler," said Bradbury. "She spent some time at point guard last year which should help in her ability to see the floor well when she gets here."

Watson played her sophomore collegiate season at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Neb., and spent her freshman year at Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel, Ill. At Northeast CC, she was named All-Conference while leading her team to a 26-7 overall record and an undefeated record in conference games. She averaged 12.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. As a freshman at Wabash, she averaged 9.7 points and 9.8 rebounds while being named All-Region in the league.

"Deja is an outstanding athlete who can rebound the ball and also score in a variety of ways," said Bradbury.

Coleman averaged 16.9 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game for her two-year career at Cincinnati State. As a sophomore, she was named Honorable mention All-OCCAC while ranking 10th in the league in scoring and ninth in steals. She led her team in steals and ranked second on the squad in scoring. She was selected as a Preseason JUCO All-American. As a freshman, Coleman was named First-Team All-OCCAC and ranked fifth in the conference in scoring, ninth in rebounding and seventh in steals. She is a native of nearby Lexington, Ky.

"Erica is a very skilled player who can shoot the three as well as be a good rebounder," said Bradbury.

Buchanan is a 6-1 center who played two seasons at Chattanooga State. She averaged 4.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game as the starting center on a team that finished 21-8. Buchanan played her high school ball in Ringgold, Ga.

"Connie will bring us toughness at the center position as well as a physical presence. She is a good defender and rebounder," said Bradbury.

These nine signees join Fall recruits Courtney Lumpkin, Ashley Martin and Kaneesha Johnson to complete the MSU coaching staff's first class.