LEBANON — McKendree University women's basketball coach Melissa Ringhausen has announced six recruits that have committed to McKendree during the fall early signing period.
Halle Devoe, of Springfield Southeast High School; Karla Halde, of Collinsville High School; Charley Lett, of Pana High School; Jaci Lowrey, of Southern Boone County High School (Ashland, Mo.); Shannon McGinnis, of Trinity High School in St. Louis; and Abigail Smith, of Romeoville High School, are all set to join the women's basketball program in 2013-2014.
"We are excited about this large group of signees," said Ringhausen. "They are academically strong and have had outstanding high school careers. They bring athleticism, size, and versatility that complement our current players and that will allow them the opportunity to be immediate impact players when they join the program next year."
Devoe, a 5-foot-9 guard, was a first-team All-Conference and honorable mention All-State selection last season as a junior at Springfield Southeast High School. She averaged 12 points, five assists and four steals/game last season as a junior for the Spartans.
Halde, a 6-0 forward, averaged 6.4 points a game as a junior last season for the Kahoks. She was also an All-Tournament team selection at the Carbondale Invitational as a sophomore.
Lett, a 5-9 guard, has helped lead the Panthers to a 55-8 record over the past two season, including a berth in the state class 2A super sectional as a junior last season. A two-time All-Conference, All-Area, and All-State honoree, Lett has averaged 13.4 points/game over the last two seasons.
Lowrey, a 5-9 guard, plays club basketball for the Columbia Sparkz of Columbia, Mo.
McGinnis, a 5-10 guard/forward, averaged six points and six rebounds/game last season and helped lead the Blazers to the class 4A sectional finals.
Smith, a 5-9 guard, averaged 11.8 points, 4.7 steals, and 4.8 assists last season as a junior. She helped lead the Spartans to their first conference championship last season, and has led the area in steals and assists the past two seasons. She is a three-time All-Conference and two-time All-Area selection, and was also an All-State honoree last season.
The McKendree University women's basketball is currently 5-3 overall this season. The Bearcats are in their first season as members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference, and will host its first Great Lakes Valley Conference game on Jan. 3 against University of Illinois at Springfield at 5:30 p.m.
