EUGENE, Ore. – Northwest Christian University women's basketball's fourth-year head coach Liz Turner-Bolton has announced her recruiting class for the upcoming season, which includes four NCAA Division II transfers and one freshman. “Our staff is very excited to welcome these five very accomplished, versatile and experienced athletes to our program,” said Turner-Bolton. “They all have a reputation for success in both the classroom and on the court.”
Leading the way is a pair of players coming from New Mexico Highlands University. Sheena Cole is a well traveled guard, originally from Illinois Valley HS in Cave Junction, OR. Cole played two years at Lane Community College, leading the Titans to the NWAACC championship as a sophomore. She averaged 15 points per game and earned first-team All-Region honors. Cole transferred to New Mexico Highlands University where she played in just two games before a broken hand put an early end to her season.
Coach Turner-Bolton said, “Sheena brings an exceptional history of success and playing experience with her and will be an immediate impact player for us. She is a long, quick guard who can defend nearly every position. Her ability to get to the rim as well as hit the three will provide instant offense for us. Her intensity and tenacity allows her to be a dynamic threat on both ends of the floor.”
Also coming from New Mexico Highlands is 5-10 Post Hope Williams (McCammon, Idaho). Williams played in 24 games for the Cowgirls last season as a junior and shot over 51% from the floor. She played her first two seasons at Treasure Valley CC, where she earned First-Team All-Conference honors as a sophomore and led the Chukars to the NWAACC playoffs. Williams holds the all-time record for rebounding at TVCC and was the 2010 NWAAC All-Star Game MVP.
Turner-Bolton said, “Hope will be a force in the paint. She is a fierce competitor with a passion for the game. Her work ethic and athletic ability will push all four of our posts to improve their game. Her physical and aggressive post play will allow us to be more creative defensively and her rebounding efforts will allow us to get out on the break early.”
The Beacons will also welcome in a sophomore transfer from Western Oregon University, Oregon City’s Lindsay Shearer. A former McDonald’s High School All-American nominee from Oregon City HS, Shearer played her freshman season for the Wolves, playing in 25 games. At Oregon City, the 5-9 Guard/Post led the Pioneers to the 2008 State Championship game, averaging ten points and six rebounds per game. “Lindsey is a gifted athlete from a great high school tradition,” said Turner-Bolton. “Her height and agility allow her to score at a guard or a forward position. She is a versatile, physical, dominant defender and an outstanding rebounder.”
The final transfer is junior Demaris Craig from the University of Alaska – Fairbanks. The 6-1 Forward comes in after two seasons at Peninsula College in Port Angeles, Washington where she played in 12 games over two seasons while battling back from knee surgery. Craig averaged a double-double in her final season at Kenai Central HS in Anchorage and was named first-team All-Northern Lights Conference. Turner-Bolton said, “Damaris is another very experienced post player. She has great size and ability to play multiple positions. Damaris is a very coachable and driven athlete and she is as confident on the perimeter as she is in the paint.
Rounding out the 2010-2011 recruiting class will be Kelcie Namba (Honolulu, HI). Namba, a 5-3 point guard, played three years on varsity at Roosevelt HS where she averaged 13.7 points and 6.8 assists per game. Coach Turner-Bolton said, “Kelcie reads the game very well. She possesses great court vision, sees the open passing lane and is quick off the dribble. Her speed and determination will fit in nicely with our team defensive concepts.”
The Beacons will be looking to rebound this season after a 2-16 Cascade Conference run in 2009-2010. The Beacons will boast a strong core of 12 returning players who will be joined by these five athletes as they push to get back into the CCC post-season for the first time since 2008.