2008-09 Early Signees

SOUTHERN UTAH SIGNS FOUR FOR THE 2008-09 SEASON

CEDAR CITY, Utah – Nov. 19 – Southern Utah women’s basketball head coach Steve Hodson announced the signings of four freshmen making up, what the signees are calling, the fantastic four for 2008-09.  Making up the group is Cassie Platt (Cedar City, Utah/Canyon View), Morgan Wood (Beaver, Utah/Beaver), Amanda Farish (Alpine, Utah/Lone Peak) and Dani Hosking out of Davis High School.

“With the signing of SUU’s version of the fantastic four we feel like we’ve improved ourselves significantly,” Hodson said of his second full recruiting class.  “With last year’s fab five and this year’s fantastic four, the future at SUU is bright.  We expect big things from this recruiting class.”

Platt is a 5-8 point guard out of Canyon View High School.  She has garnered all-state honors since her freshman year, including second team all-state kudos as a freshman and 3A MVP and Region 9 MVP during her sophomore year.  Last year, she was once again named Region 9 MVP and was named first team all-state while averaging 11 points, five rebounds, seven assists and four steals a game.  Entering her senior season, she has gained national attention after being named a McDonalds High School All-American nominee from the state of Utah.

Hosking is a 5-8 combo guard out of Davis High School, having a break out year during the 2006-07 season.  During the season, she averaged 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals while connecting on 47-percent of her attempts behind the 3-point arc.  Her performance garnered first team 5A all-state honors along with Region 1 MVP, Davis County MVP and Burchell Classic MVP accolades.  She was also a McDonalds High School All-American nominee out of the state of Utah.

“The addition of Cassie Platt and Dani Hosking gives us a version of John Stockton and Jeff Hornacek,” Hodson said, comparing the two to the former Utah Jazz standouts.  “Cassie is an old-school point guard who makes her teammates better, doesn’t make mistakes and is an excellent shooter with a high basketball IQ.

“Dani gives us a great perimeter shooter and is deceptively creative,” Hodson continued.  “She can also play the point and is an extremely versatile player.”

Farish is a 6-0 forward out of Lone Peak High School and joins former teammate and current SUU freshman Caitlyn Sears donning the scarlet and white.  She was a 49-percent shooter last year, averaging 11 points and eight rebounds a game while earning Deseret News second team 5A all-state and Salt Lake Tribune first team 5A all-state honors.  She also gained first team all-Utah County from the Daily Herald and entered the year as a McDonalds High School All-American nominee.

“Amanda Farish was one of the most recruited players in the state,” Hodson said.  “She can play two positions (small or big forward) and is a tremendous rebounder.  She’ll add physical toughness and aggressiveness to our frontline.”

Joining Farish on the front line will be 6-1 forward Morgan Wood out of Beaver High School.  With the Beavers, Wood has garnered second team 2A all-state kudos as a freshman and first team 2A all-state honors as a sophomore and junior.  Last year she averaged a double-double with 17.5 points and 10 rebounds per game to add to two blocks and 2.5 steals in each outing.  She is also a McDonalds High School All-American nominee.

“Morgan Wood is an excellent all-around athlete with terrific potential,” Hodson said.  “She’s strong, tough and runs the floor exceptionally well.  She’s a proven scorer with a winning mentality.”