Lady Flames Sign Four on Wednesday
11/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Just two days before the 2010-11 season tips off, Liberty Head Women's Basketball Coach Carey Green already has an eye on next season and beyond. He announced that Katelyn Adams, Catherine Kearney, Reagan Miller and Ashley Rininger have signed national letters of intent to attend Liberty University for the 2011-12 academic year.
Green is excited about the quartet of signees, which features three players 6-4 or taller and a point guard. "We are so blessed to have God lead such outstanding young women of faith to Liberty," he stated. "Personally, I am so excited to have such quality talent and strong character enter our basketball program's family. Character takes talent to a higher level, and character wins when the talent is equal.
"As Katelyn, Catherine, Reagan and Ashley grow in faith and develop in skill, you can expect a team of excellence who will honor and glorify God on the basketball court and in life. My enthusiasm and excitement grows with the anticipation of how this class will fan the flame as Champions for Christ."
Katelyn Adams (F/C, 6-5, Burnsville, Minn.)
Adams is a versatile post player who helped Minnehaha Academy win the 2010 Minnesota AA state championship. In addition to statistics typically associated with forwards and centers (13.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 3.9 bpg as a junior), Adams also shot 40 percent from three-point range a season ago and came up with 1.6 steals per contest.
"Katelyn is an outstanding young lady and a highly accomplished basketball player," stated Minnehaha Academy varsity girls' basketball coach Josh Thurow. "The Lady Flames are getting a premier post defender, who has the ability to shoot the ball as well."
Adams has played in the state tournament each of her three seasons at Minnehaha Academy and made the 2010 all-state tournament team. She was also selected to the Trimetro all-conference team as both a sophomore and junior.
"Katelyn likes to meet challenges, especially when she has faced elite competition," noted Greg Arbogast, coach of Adams' Minnesota Suns AAU team. "I believe she'll provide good stability in the post for the Lady Flames."
Adams chose Liberty over Wisconsin, Creighton and Illinois State.
Catherine Kearney (C, 6-5, Monroeville, N.J.)
Kearney has averaged a double-double each of the past two seasons at Gloucester County Christian School, helping her team win 49 of its 53 games during that span. She averaged 21.5 ppg and 12.3 rpg as a junior and is already the leading scorer in school history, with 1,278 points entering her senior campaign.
"Catherine is the hardest worker I've ever coached," explained Gloucester County Christian School varsity girls' basketball coach William Capel. "Both in season and out of season, she's looking for opportunities to improve. Her goal is to work hard to help her team be successful."
Kearney has helped her high school team achieve unprecedented success. During her sophomore season, Gloucester County Christian School won the Tri-State Association of Christian Schools (TSACS) Tournament for the first time in school history. They have also captured consecutive Garden State Association of Christian School (GSACS) titles. As a junior, Kearney was named MVP of both the TSACS and GSACS.
"Catherine loves the Lord and wants to demonstrate that through what she does—always being available to help others be successful," continued Capel. "Catherine exhibits a true servant-leader's heart."
Kearney, who has recorded four triple-doubles (points, rebounds, blocks) during her high school career, selected Liberty over Bucknell, La Salle and St. Joseph's.
Reagan Miller (G, 5-7, Sanger, Texas)
Miller, a point guard, filled the stat sheet during her junior season at Sanger High School, averaging 16.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.8 apg and 2.7 spg. Her efforts played a key role in her team's 23-11 record and Bi-District championship. At the season's conclusion, Miller was recognized as district co-MVP, along with garnering all-state, all-region and all-area recognition.
"Reagan is one of those rare student-athletes who comes around during a coach's career," said Jack Armstrong, Sanger High School's varsity girls' basketball coach. "She makes everyone on her team better by her ability to get them the ball and her leadership on the floor."
Miller was also a first team all-district and all-area selection as a sophomore, on a team which won 18 contests. She has excelled inside the classroom as well, earning a trio of academic all-district awards.
"Reagan is not only a leader on the basketball court, but she is also one of our Christian leaders off the court," Armstrong continued. "I'm sure the Lady Flames will love playing with Reagan, because her favorite thing to do is make that great pass for an assist."
"Reagan was the engine that made the Shockers go," chimed in John Shield, coach of the North Texas Shockers AAU team. "Her leadership and passion for the game were contagious to players, coaches and fans alike. Reagan is a fierce competitor and will surely make Liberty better."
Miller chose Liberty over Colorado, SMU and Tulsa.
Ashley Rininger (C, 6-4, Canton, Ohio)
Rininger garnered a considerable amount of recognition after a stellar junior season at Glenoak High School in Canton, Ohio. She averaged a double-double (13.7 ppg, 11.2 rpg), while blocking 5.2 shots per contest. As a result, Rininger was an honorable mention All-Ohio performer as well as a first-team All-Federal League, all-district and All-Stark County honoree.
"Ashley is the most improved player I've ever coached, including 19 Division I players," observed Carlos Shea-Ron, coach of the SMAC AAU team. "She is a fundamentally sound, technical player who pays attention to details."
Rininger also enjoyed a solid sophomore campaign, playing at Ohio's highest division of high school competition. Her sophomore numbers for the Golden Eagles included 10.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg and 4.6 bpg.
"I believe Ashley's best days are still ahead of her, as she is committed to achieving excellence and will work extremely hard to do whatever Coach Green asks of her to help continue the tradition of Big South championships," added Shea-Ron. "I've been blessed to coach Ashley and look forward to great things for her with the Lady Flames."
"Before I found out about Liberty, I had no idea where I wanted to go," admitted Rininger. "As soon as I investigated a little, every other school paled in comparison."
The quartet of signees will join a team which has won 13 of the last 14 Big South Conference titles. The Lady Flames will open the 2010-11 campaign Friday at 2 p.m., when Liberty faces Creighton on the opening day of the Sheraton Raleigh Wolfpack Invitational in Raleigh, N.C.
