McM Women's Basketball Announces First NCAA II Class
By: Dave Beyer, McMurry Sports Information
Updated: May 16, 2012
ABILENE, Texas - McMurry University women's basketball head coach Veronica Snow has announced her recruiting class for 2012, charged with helping lead the program into the NCAA Division II era beginning in the fall.
In all, Snow is bringing in 10 new faces. Three are college transfers and seven will be incoming freshmen. A quick glance at Snow's blizzard of newcomers also reveals a trend toward some good height, with two players checking in at 5' 10", as well as one each that are 6'0", 6'1" and 6'4", respectively.
"I am very excited about this group," said Snow (99-39), McM's sixth-year head coach. "The NCAA II game is different. It's commonplace to see more of the taller players on each roster, as well as more legitimate scoring threats.
"We've looked to add the pieces to our roster which will not only match that, but also play our style...which is tough, suffocating defense."
Snow's incoming class will mesh with a solid base of returning players like American Southwest Conference All-Division player Keshia Collins (a junior), senior forward M.J. Vickers, a senior two-sport (volleyball) standout athlete, and senior point guard Rikeita Thomas. Vickers was second team All-ASC West Division in 2011-12, while Thomas was honorable mention.
The War Hawks' recruiting class of 2012 includes the following:
Ashton Jones - 6'0", Junior, Forward (Sam Houston State University/Cypress Woods H.S.)
Two seasons at SHSU...As a freshman, averaged 4.9 minutes per game...Career-best 11 points versus Centenary...At Cypress Woods High School (2010) under head coach Virginia Flores...First team All-District in 2010...A GHAGB All-Star team member...All-District honorable mention as a junior (2009) and sophomore (2008).
Jaryn Koenig - 5'7", Junior, Guard (Weatherford College/Cisco H.S.)
Two seasons at Weatherford community college...Played under Bob McKinley...Averaged 5.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game as a sophomore for the Coyotes...A graduate of Cisco High School (2010) and played under head coach Ron Berry...A stellar senior season in which she was the District MVP, TGCA All-Region, All-State and an FCA All-Star...A Phi Theta Kappa scholar.
Delanah Colbert - 5'4", Sophomore, Point Guard (McLennan College/Cypress Ridge H.S.)
Played one season for head coach Ricky Rhodes at McLennan College...Averaged 2.8 points, 2.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game for the Highlassies...At Cypress Ridge High School, played under her father, Darrin Samuels...Two-time All-District first team selection (2009, 2010)...Honorable mention all-state in 2010...As a senior, selected team's MVP, All-Greater Houston and All- Galveston County...A Phi Theta Kappa scholar...Graduated in top 10-percent of her class.
Shelby Dixon - 6'4", Freshman Post (Austin Bowie H.S.)
A four-year varsity team member at Bowie High School (2012)...Played under head coach Vicki Benson...Two-time All-District selection; first team in 2012 and honorable mention in 2011...Holds school record for most blocked shots in a single game...Four-time Academic All-District honoree.
Taylor Russell - 5'10", Freshman, Guard (Liberty Hill High School)
A four-year player at Liberty Hill High School (2012)...Coached by Matt Kirschner as a prep...A member of the 2012 state semi-final team...As a senior, was both TGCA All-State and TGCA All-Star Team member...A member of the state finals all-tournament team...Three-time TABC All-Region selection...Also three-time first team All-District choice (2010, 11, 12) and second team in a freshman (2009).
Claire Bruffey - 5'10", Freshman, Guard (Homeschool)
Was home-schooled and played for the Lubbock Titans, where she was coached by Marla Harbin...Three-time all-tournament team member at the National Christian Homeschool Basketball Championships (NCHBC)...A three-time NCHBC All-American...Earned NCHBC Christian Character Award.
Sierra Maykus - 5'8", Freshman, Guard (Southlake Carroll H.S.)
A four-year player at Southlake's Carroll High School (2012)...Prep coach was Teri Morrison...A four-year letterwinner...Also led team to playoffs all four varsity seasons...During her career, team reached the regional quarterfinals her freshman and senior seasons, as well as making it to the regional semifinals as a junior...A three-time All-District selection, sophomore through senior seasons.
Ana Dominguez - 6'1", Freshman, Forward (Klein Oak H.S.)
Four varsity campaigns at Klein Oak High School (2012) under head coach Tiffany Vance...Three-time All-District selection, first team as a junior (2011) and senior (2012), as well as second team as a sophomore (2010)...four-time Academic All-District honoree.
Paige Galindo - 5'8", Freshman, Guard (Homeschool)
Was home-schooled and played for the Abilene Hawks under her father, Homer Galindo...Three-time National Christian Homeschool Basketball Championships (NCHB) All-Tournament Team (2008, 2009, 2011)...NCHBC All-American in 2010...NCHBC All-Region in 2011.
Angela Snow - 5'5", Freshman, Guard (Abilene Cooper High School)
Also expected to play volleyball for the War Hawks...Will be playing under her mother (Veronica) on McMurry's basketball team...A four-year letterwinner for Abilene's Cooper High School (2012)...Was coached by Kevin Long...Second team All-District as a senior in 2012...Also an outstanding prep volleyball player.
In all, Snow is bringing in 10 new faces. Three are college transfers and seven will be incoming freshmen. A quick glance at Snow's blizzard of newcomers also reveals a trend toward some good height, with two players checking in at 5' 10", as well as one each that are 6'0", 6'1" and 6'4", respectively.
"I am very excited about this group," said Snow (99-39), McM's sixth-year head coach. "The NCAA II game is different. It's commonplace to see more of the taller players on each roster, as well as more legitimate scoring threats.
"We've looked to add the pieces to our roster which will not only match that, but also play our style...which is tough, suffocating defense."
Snow's incoming class will mesh with a solid base of returning players like American Southwest Conference All-Division player Keshia Collins (a junior), senior forward M.J. Vickers, a senior two-sport (volleyball) standout athlete, and senior point guard Rikeita Thomas. Vickers was second team All-ASC West Division in 2011-12, while Thomas was honorable mention.
The War Hawks' recruiting class of 2012 includes the following:
Ashton Jones - 6'0", Junior, Forward (Sam Houston State University/Cypress Woods H.S.)
Two seasons at SHSU...As a freshman, averaged 4.9 minutes per game...Career-best 11 points versus Centenary...At Cypress Woods High School (2010) under head coach Virginia Flores...First team All-District in 2010...A GHAGB All-Star team member...All-District honorable mention as a junior (2009) and sophomore (2008).
Jaryn Koenig - 5'7", Junior, Guard (Weatherford College/Cisco H.S.)
Two seasons at Weatherford community college...Played under Bob McKinley...Averaged 5.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game as a sophomore for the Coyotes...A graduate of Cisco High School (2010) and played under head coach Ron Berry...A stellar senior season in which she was the District MVP, TGCA All-Region, All-State and an FCA All-Star...A Phi Theta Kappa scholar.
Delanah Colbert - 5'4", Sophomore, Point Guard (McLennan College/Cypress Ridge H.S.)
Played one season for head coach Ricky Rhodes at McLennan College...Averaged 2.8 points, 2.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game for the Highlassies...At Cypress Ridge High School, played under her father, Darrin Samuels...Two-time All-District first team selection (2009, 2010)...Honorable mention all-state in 2010...As a senior, selected team's MVP, All-Greater Houston and All- Galveston County...A Phi Theta Kappa scholar...Graduated in top 10-percent of her class.
Shelby Dixon - 6'4", Freshman Post (Austin Bowie H.S.)
A four-year varsity team member at Bowie High School (2012)...Played under head coach Vicki Benson...Two-time All-District selection; first team in 2012 and honorable mention in 2011...Holds school record for most blocked shots in a single game...Four-time Academic All-District honoree.
Taylor Russell - 5'10", Freshman, Guard (Liberty Hill High School)
A four-year player at Liberty Hill High School (2012)...Coached by Matt Kirschner as a prep...A member of the 2012 state semi-final team...As a senior, was both TGCA All-State and TGCA All-Star Team member...A member of the state finals all-tournament team...Three-time TABC All-Region selection...Also three-time first team All-District choice (2010, 11, 12) and second team in a freshman (2009).
Claire Bruffey - 5'10", Freshman, Guard (Homeschool)
Was home-schooled and played for the Lubbock Titans, where she was coached by Marla Harbin...Three-time all-tournament team member at the National Christian Homeschool Basketball Championships (NCHBC)...A three-time NCHBC All-American...Earned NCHBC Christian Character Award.
Sierra Maykus - 5'8", Freshman, Guard (Southlake Carroll H.S.)
A four-year player at Southlake's Carroll High School (2012)...Prep coach was Teri Morrison...A four-year letterwinner...Also led team to playoffs all four varsity seasons...During her career, team reached the regional quarterfinals her freshman and senior seasons, as well as making it to the regional semifinals as a junior...A three-time All-District selection, sophomore through senior seasons.
Ana Dominguez - 6'1", Freshman, Forward (Klein Oak H.S.)
Four varsity campaigns at Klein Oak High School (2012) under head coach Tiffany Vance...Three-time All-District selection, first team as a junior (2011) and senior (2012), as well as second team as a sophomore (2010)...four-time Academic All-District honoree.
Paige Galindo - 5'8", Freshman, Guard (Homeschool)
Was home-schooled and played for the Abilene Hawks under her father, Homer Galindo...Three-time National Christian Homeschool Basketball Championships (NCHB) All-Tournament Team (2008, 2009, 2011)...NCHBC All-American in 2010...NCHBC All-Region in 2011.
Angela Snow - 5'5", Freshman, Guard (Abilene Cooper High School)
Also expected to play volleyball for the War Hawks...Will be playing under her mother (Veronica) on McMurry's basketball team...A four-year letterwinner for Abilene's Cooper High School (2012)...Was coached by Kevin Long...Second team All-District as a senior in 2012...Also an outstanding prep volleyball player.
