EUGENE, Ore. – NCU First-Year Head Coach Chad Meadors has announced the five players who will join the Beacon women’s basketball team, heading into the 2018-19 season.
Coming off the Beacons first-ever trip to the NAIA National Championship tournament, Meadors is grateful for the foundation set by former coach Heath Alexander, who left in the spring for the University of Cincinnati. “Since joining NCU I have quickly concluded that I am walking into an amazing situation,” said Meadors. “Beacon Basketball is in tremendous shape going into the season and direct credit goes to my friend Heath. He has built this program to compete at the national level. There is a strong foundation that will provide us with the opportunity for sustained success for years to come.”
The combined efforts of Alexander, Meadors, and Assistant Coach Rusty Cottrell have yielded a recruiting class of four freshman and one transfer that are expected to infuse the Beacons with added athleticism and a marked proficiency in shooting. Coach Meadors said, “Continued credit must be given to coach Cottrell. Rusty continues to be relentless, recruiting future players, while most importantly, re-recruiting the players that committed for this year. He has been instrumental in providing continuity in the transition between head coaches.”
Freshman Guard Peyton Green is expected to bring a high level of athleticism after a four-sport career at Monroe High. Coach Meadors said, “During my first week at NCU I had the pleasure of watching Peyton compete at Hayward Field in the OSAA State Track Meet in both the shot put and the long jump. This certainly speaks to her versatility. She is a competitor and has a motor that won’t stop on the court. I expect her to push and compete for playing time immediately.”
Alyssa Kuskie is a Guard hailing from Winnemucca, Nevada where she earned First-Team All-State honors after lifting Lowry High to a State Championship Game appearance. “I have had the chance to watch some video of Alyssa play,” said Coach Meadors, “and the video displays her poise and a great feel for the game of basketball. She can shoot the ball and there is no substitute for great shooting.”
Freshman Shooting Guard Brittany Ralston heads west from Boise, Idaho where she played at Capitol High School and with the Idaho Flash AAU team. Coach Meadors said, “I have watched Brittany play this summer. She is a disruptive presence on the defensive end of the floor. She gets her hands in the passing lanes and deflects a lot of passes. Here defensive abilities, and her ability to stretch other defenses with her three-point shooting, will give her a chance to compete for playing time.”
Ralston’s AAU teammate Sarah Reinecker will also make her way to Eugene from Idaho where she averaged 17 points per game as a senior at Vallivue High in Caldwell. “As a Communication major I can quickly see Sarah’s positive approach and how it translates onto the court.” Said Meadors. “She has a good feel for the game and will spend time at both the Point Guard and Shooting Guard spots.”
NCU’s lone transfer this season is one with whom coach Meadors is very familiar. Shooting Guard Shanay Dotson has already played two seasons with her new head coach at Lower Columbia College where she earned All-West Region honors last season. “I am excited for everyone to get to watch Shanay play,” said Meadors. “She loves to defend and out-compete her opponents. She wears them down with constant pressure and mixes in a smile or two during the course of the game. She attacks the basket and tends to spend a lot of time at the free-throw line.”
The Beacons will open up the 2018-2019 season on October 26th, playing in the Northwest University Classic.