EUGENE, Ore. – Fifth-year head coach Liz Turner-Bolton has announced her recruiting class for the upcoming season, which includes four freshmen and one junior college transfer. “Our staff is very excited to welcome these five very accomplished, versatile and experienced athletes to our program,” said Turner-Bolton. “This is a talented, driven and competitive group of student-athletes and I am looking forward to watching them excel both on the floor and in the classroom.”
Leading the way is 5-11 Forward Brittney Alcock (Mohawk HS), who comes into the post rotation after a successful prep career. A four-year varsity athlete with the Indians, Alcock earned First-Team All-Mountain West League and Second-Team All-State honors as a senior, averaging 14 points and nine rebounds per game. Coach Bolton said, “Brittney has a nice combination of speed and strength. She can finish well with either hand and will be difficult to defend.”
Shannon Harte is the lone junior college transfer for the upcoming season, hailing from Phoenix College. Harte is known as a strong blocker who can score inside and out. “Her experience at the junior college level adds depth to our bigs,” said Bolton. “She is a talented defender with a long frame and can get into passing lanes and pressure the ball.”
Breanna Schmidt (Creswell HS) was a First-Team All-PacWest League guard during her senior season, averaging 12.2 points per game. She also earned All-State honorable mention as she led the Bulldogs to the league championship. Coach Bolton said, “Brenna will be a nice addition to our pressure defense. She has tremendous speed and quickness and can dribble penetrate and use her athleticism in open floor situations.”
Mindy Smith (Portland) is a highly touted guard who was a First-Team All-League selection at Centennial High, averaging 16.4 points per game. “Mindy is a multi-positional athlete with exceptional scoring capabilities,” said Bolton. “She is and aggressive defender with a high basketball IQ.”
Melyssa Weber (Churchill HS) rounds out the class after a solid high school career with the Lancers. Coach Bolton said, “Melyssa is another versatile and athletic Forward with strong scoring instincts.”
The Beacons ended a three-year dry spell, qualifying for the Cascade Collegiate Conference playoffs in 2010-2011. NCU will look to a strong core of nine returners as they look to improve on their 10-19 finish last season. Northwest Christian opens the season on October 28th when they face the University of Great Falls (Mont.) in the Southern Oregon Tournament.