T-BIRDS SIGN FOUR PREPSTERS TO NATIONAL LETTERS OF INTENT

11/10/06
CEDAR CITY -- Southern Utah head women’s basketball coach Steve Hodson announced Friday the signing of four new players who will join the Thunderbird program for the 2007-08 season. Two out of the four signees are Utah all-state prep athletes in Jamie Sagers, a 6-5 senior post player at Orem High School, and Caitlyn Sears, a 5-11 senior guard/forward from Cedar Hills’ Lone Peak HS. In addition, SUU has inked Kaila Goff, a 5-7 senior guard from Bishop Gorman HS in Las Vegas, Nev., and Challis Pascucci, a 6-3 senior forward Agua Fria HS in Goodyear, Ariz.

“We're excited to have these four young ladies commit to us, they all come from very successful high school programs and we’re happy to have them join our program,” Hodson said. “They all have a tremendous work ethic and an intense desire to help us succeed here at Southern Utah University. They are all excellent students and players with great character and they will fit in well with the type of program we have here. I believe this will be the best freshman recruiting classes in Southern Utah history and I believe the future of women’s basketball here at SUU is extremely bright.”

Sagers, who is ranked as one of Utah’s top prep prospects by the Intermountain Hoops Scouting Service, averaged 11.3 points and 2.3 blocks a game in helping lead OHS to the state 4A state championship last season, including scoring 17 points with six blocks and seven assists in the title game to earn all-tournament honors. In addition, she was selected first team all-state by the Salt Lake Tribune and to the Deseret News third team, along with first team all-valley honors from the Provo Daily Herald. Sagers, who is a 2007 McDonald’s All-American team nominee, was also recruited by Belmont, Lipscomb, Dixie State and all the Utah junior colleges.

“Jamie is a very skilled athlete,” Coach Hodson said. “She has the ability to score the ball in the paint and has excellent range from the perimeter. She has tremendous potential and with her size and long arms, she will be a force in our [Mid-Continent] conference for years to come.”

Sears, who is also ranked highly on the IHSS prospect listing, is the top-returning scorer in Utah’s 5A classification at nearly 13 points a game as a three-year starter for the Knights. She was a second team all-state selection by the Tribune and an honorable mention all-state honoree by the Deseret News, along with all-Valley recognition from the Daily Herald. Sears was also recruited by Weber State, Utah State, Nevada and Dixie State, and is a 2007 McDonald’s All-American team nominee.

“Caitlin is a great athlete with excellent offensive skills,” Hodson noted. “She’s the best guard in the state and has the ability to hit the three and take the ball to the hoop and score. She also has the ability to play three positions and will make an immediate impact on our program.”




Link to article:   T-BIRDS SIGN FOUR PREPSTERS TO NATIONAL LETTERS OF INTENT

Link to Deseret News article:  Campus notes

We agree with Coach Hodson that both Jamie and Caitlyn should make major contributions to the SUU program.  They will be joining former Metro players Aubrey (Orton) Degraffenreid and Erin Haskins at SUU.