Lady Cougars ink eight in first wave of recruiting class

Barton Community College women's basketball head coach Carter Kruger has announced the signing of eight incoming freshmen for the 2013-2014 season.  Signing national letters of intent are  Phikala Anthony (Memphis, TN), Bethany Bowman (Emporia, KS), Breeyana Brittain (Brooklyn Center, MN), Tori Davis (Lewis Center, OH), Ciera Lampe (Dodge City, KS), Raven Walker (Memphis, TN), and Sharyce Warren (Upper Marlboro, MD) make up the initial group of seven incoming freshmen.  In addition, Alexis Ryan (Smith Center, KS) has also joined the program. With the first wave of what is expected to be a signing class eleven maximum players, Coach Kruger is excited about the future of the Lady Cougar basketball program. 

"I cannot be more pleased to announce the signing of these stellar student-athletes and their commitment to the Barton Women's Basketball program," Coach Kruger said.  "We were able to address most of the needs we have going forward as a basketball team; from perimeter scoring and defense to finding a presence in the paint offensively and on the glass, we have eight freshmen coming to Barton that will provide an immediate boost to our depth and overall talent level.  The number one thing about all of these future Lady Cougars is that they are all great people, hard workers, and they have promising futures on and off the floor."

Coach Kruger added, "When you look at what we have returning and the work that those players have put into improving our basketball team, these young ladies will fill in the openings and help us advance toward our goal of a Jayhawk West championship."  

Coach Kruger's thoughts and capsule information about the individual signees can be found below:

Phikala Anthony – 5'9" Guard – Manassas High School – Memphis, TN
High School:  Pepsi's Best of the Preps in Tennessee… 1st Team All-District and Regional MVP...  Averaged 17 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists...  A part of 52 wins during junior and senior seasons...  Played for Coach Tommy Warren.

"Our staff has been searching for a dynamic scorer at the off-guard position, and in KK (Phikala), we've found someone who was just that at the high school level.  I believe that once she transitions to the highly competitive level of our conference and improves in some key areas she will provide a big punch for us on the offensive side of the ball.  KK brings a winning pedigree and is someone that has been extremely well coached in high school and AAU."

Bethany Bowman– 6'0" Forward – Emporia High School – Emporia, KS
High School:  Bethany will also compete in track & field at BCC – Top 5 high jumper in state of KS…  Emporia High School Athlete of the Year...  Central Kansas All-Star Selection…  Averaged 6 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists...  Played for coach Bill Nienstedt.

"Bethany is a player who has hardly scratched the surface of her potential as a basketball player.  She will help us immensely on the defensive end of the court, and as her offensive skills improve she will have a chance to improve quickly.  She has the athleticism and size to be a major factor for us; we look forward to getting her on campus."

Breeyana Brittain– 6'3" Center – Minneapolis Roosevelt HS – Brooklyn Center, MN
High School:  St Paul Pioneer Press All-Metro Honorable Mention...  Minneapolis City League All-Conference...  Athena Award winner at MSP Roosevelt. Averaged 14 points, 10 rebounds, 5 blocks… Played for coach Michael Wright.

"Bree has the size and skill level to make an immediate impact on a roster that does not have a true low-post player.  Bree's combination of excellent footwork and ability to finish through contact will serve her well.  She literally has the ability to be as good a player as she's willing to work to become…and I believe Bree will have an outstanding career in a Barton uniform."

Tori Davis– 5'10" Wing – Olentangy Orange High School – Lewis Center, OH
Honors:  Played on Olentangy Orange team that made it to the state semi-finals in 2013…  Averaged 5 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals...  Played for coach Mary Ann Grimes.

"The number one thing I like about Tori is that she's a winner.  She helped turn around the Olentangy Orange program and helped it become one of the best in all of Ohio.  Tori will be counted on to be a shut-down defender and to make open shots.  She has great length and the ability to change a game based on her defensive presence – something we need in our system."

Ciera Lampe– 5'10" Wing – Dodge City High School – Dodge City, KS
Honors:  All Western Athletic Conference... Selected to Central Kansas All-Star Game…  Averaged 9 points and 5 rebounds…  Played for coach Kelley Snodrass.

"Ciera comes from a very successful program at Dodge City High School.  I know that she was very well coached by Coach (Justin) Briggs and now a coach I have a lot of respect for in Kelley Snodgrass.  Ciera is a hard-nosed and versatile player who we will count on to stretch the floor from the 3-pt line.  The fact that she can play multiple positions will help us quite a bit going forward as she transitions to more of a perimeter-oriented style of play."

Alexis Ryan– 5'4" Guard – Smith Center High School – Smith Center, KS
Honors:  Kansas 2A State Champion in 2013... Helped team to a 24-2 overall record… Averaged 8 points and 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals…  Played for coach Nick Linn.

"Being a state champion, Alexis will bring a great deal of experience to our program.  She played on a team that was known for its defensive prowess and should be able to impact us positively on that end of the court.  Alexis can shoot the ball from distance as well as score in transition.  She will have some natural things to overcome because of her size, but Alexis has shown the ability to do that in the past."

Raven Walker– 5'9" Wing – Manassas High School – Memphis, TN
Honors:  Had season ending knee surgery after 2nd game of her senior season…  A part of 31 wins during junior season...  Played for Coach Tommy Warren.

"Also coming from Manassas High School, Raven is a player who never really got a chance to shine as a senior.  She played a vital role on the team that went to the Tennessee state tournament her junior year, and I know Coach (Tommy) Warren really missed the breakout year she would've had as a senior.  I don't look at Raven as us taking a chance on an injured player – I know she's been well-coached, she's tough, and she will do whatever it takes to help us win next year."

Sharyce Warren– 5'4" Point Guard – Frederick Douglass High School – Upper Marlboro, MD
Honors:  2nd team all-conference as a freshman at Jericho Christian Academy (closed prior to sophomore season)… Averaged 12 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 5 steals…  Played for coach Rod Hairston (2011-12).

"Considering her size, Sharyce plays much bigger.  She has a strong drive and ability to finish shots around the basket against bigger players.  I really like the fact that Sharyce can play in a variety of settings.  She can push tempo, and/or slow it down.  She can make plays for her teammates while remaining a viable scoring threat from that lead guard position.  I'm excited to get her to Kansas!"