Kelsea Hurliman signs her letter of intent to play with EOU.
LA GRANDE, Ore. -- The Eastern Oregon University women’s basketball team has some additions to its 2009-10 team.
EOU head coach Anji Weissenfluh recently announced the final signee to her 2009 recruiting class. The Mountaineers will welcome seven young women to its team this season.
“We are very excited to be adding seven quality student-athletes to our roster this year,” Weissenfluh said. “The various strengths of these athletes will fill some gaps in our team and should help us have a successful season and propel us into post season play. Not only do our new recruits possess solid athletic ability but they are all people of strong character and outstanding students.”
Shaylee Nielsen joins Eastern after two seasons at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. The junior transfer is originally from Delta, Utah and played at Delta High School before Snow. The 5 foot, six inch guard was second on her team and 15th in the conference in scoring averaging 9 points per game in 2008-09. Nielsen was second in the conference in three-point percentage (41 percent) and ninth in assists per game (1.93).
“We are extremely excited to add Shaylee to our Mountaineer family,” Weissenfluh said. “She has an outstanding work ethic both on the court and in the classroom. Shaylee’s strong defense along with her ability to shoot the three is what will make her an impact player on both ends of the court. She is a tough competitor and will lead by example.”
Kelsea Hurliman comes to the Grande Ronde Valley after leading Nestucca to the 2009 OSAA Class 2A state title game. The five foot, four inch guard led the state tournament in scoring with 65 points in three games, including 18 in the championship game.
“Kelsea has everything that we are looking for in a freshman point guard,” Weissenfluh said. “What she lacks in size she makes up for in strength and competiveness. She is an outstanding shooter and coupled with her passing ability and court sense it makes it hard to defend her. Keep your eye on her because she has a bright future as a Mountaineer.”
The 7th leading scorer in the NWAACC last year, Samantha Flett, joins EOU in 2009-10. The five foot, six inch transfer from Peninsula College will play guard for the Mountaineers this season. She averaged 15.93 points per game for Peninsula last season.
“Sam will make an immediate impact in our program,” Weissenfluh said. “We are thrilled that she has chosen EOU to continue her basketball career. Sam is a very versatile player that can do a lot of things well. She has good speed, great anticipation, ability to attack the basket, and is an outstanding rebounder for the guard position.”
Anne Barnett will join the Mountaineers after participating on the University of Idaho track and field team last season. Barnett, a former standout at Hermiston High School, returns to eastern Oregon to finish her collegiate career.
“I recruited Anne heavily out of high school and just feel very fortunate that she has decided to play basketball after a very successful track career at University of Idaho,” Weissenfluh said. “Her physical strength, ability to rebound, and her knowledge of the game will be big keys for our team.”
Rosebud Guthrie will be a Mountaineer in 2009-10 after leading Zillah High School to the Washington Class 1A state tournament. The six foot multi-talented athlete was a key component on Zillah’s volleyball team as well.
“We are excited about the addition of Rosebud to our team,” Weissenfluh said. “Her height is not only a much needed asset but Rosebud is very athletic. She runs the floor extremely well which will help us in our transition game. Rosebud is loaded with potential and it will be fun to watch her grow over the next four years.”
Colby Patton returns to the area after spending one season at Western Oregon University. The Joseph High graduate has decided to finish her collegiate career at EOU. The five foot, eight inch guard was named first team all-state and all-league her junior year at Joseph.
“We are fortunate to get local stand out Colby Patton,” Weissenfluh said. “Colby not only comes from a very successful high school program but has a year of college experience under her belt which will prove to be valuable. She brings a great deal of athletic ability to our team.”
The final signee is Mattea Zabala from Burns, Ore. Zabala excelled at a perennial high school power. The five foot, 11 inch incoming freshman was named the OSAA Class 3A Player of the Year in 2008-09 after leading Burns to a state title. She was named first team all-state as a junior and senior.
“Mattea comes to us from a very successful high school program,” Weissenfluh said. “She has had four years of outstanding coaching from one of the best high school coaches in the state. Mattea strives to be the best in all she does. Her work ethic is outstanding. She can play inside or out and will create match-up problems for opponents. Mattea is a tough player who will fit well into a very physical cascade conference.”