Book signs with Sterling

            Briana Book found a winner to continue her basketball career with. The Barton County sophomore signed a letter-of-intent to play basketball at NAIA Division II powerhouse Sterling College next season.

            "I am really excited and looking forward to stepping in and helping out however I can with the program," Book said.

            Book said she also considered Northwest Missouri State, but chose Sterling because she just had a better feel for the college.

            "Northwest Missouri just didn't feel right," the Emporia native said. "Sterling did. Plus it is closer to home and my parents and family can come watch me play. At Sterling I really enjoyed the talking to the coaches. They seem like good people. I also like the style of basketball they play, it's upbeat."

            This past season Book was second on the team with a 10.8 scoring average at Barton. But her game goes well beyond just scoring. Book was also first in steals (57), third in assists (74), and fourth in rebounding (3.8).

            "She brings us a combination of things," Sterling Coach Lonnie Kruse said. "First is her ability on the basketball court. She is also the type of person we are looking for.

            "Briana has the ability to be involved in the offense and is a great hustler. She has the potential to do a lot of things for us, including being a good scorer."

            This past season, Sterling finished with a 31-2 mark, making to the Elite Eight at the National Tournament. The Warriors lost just one conference game all season on their way to the KCAC title.

Stats

            Game boxes and cumulative stats can be found at the following website.

Barton County Women's Basketball at http://www.barton.cc.ks.us/sports/WB_01-02/wbasketball_01-02.htm