Truman women’s basketball head coach Michael Smith has announced the signing of three high school seniors and one junior college player to join the Bulldog program as part of next year’s incoming class.
“This is a great group of student athletes that will help us solidify some key positions over the next couple of years as our current personnel gets older and closer to graduation,” Smith said. “Not only are they quality players, but even better people and the type you want to be surrounded by on a daily basis.
I am very excited about the future of Truman women’s basketball.”
Smith and assistant coach Lora Westling pulled players from four different states throughout the Midwest for their 2012 recruiting class.
Jessica Redd (6-foot-1, center; Philadelphia, Mo.; Marion County HS)
A three-time all-state selection by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association, Redd comes to Truman having led her Marion County team to a 30-0 record and a Class 1 state championship in 2010-11.
She averaged 21.1 points and 9.8 rebounds as a junior, culminating with a 26-point, eight-rebound performance in the state championship game.
Jessica was named the Quincy Herald-Whig’s 2011 player of the year and has started for teams that have placed first, second and third in the MSHSAA state tournament.
“I have been watching Jessica play ever since I arrived at Truman and to be able to attract a player of her caliber is a tremendous sign for our program,”
Smith said. “Having made deep runs into the MSHSAA state tournament each of her first three seasons has helped her understand how to win, and we know she’ll bring that mentality to our program.”
Amy Briggs (5-foot-6, guard; Lansing, Kan.; Lansing HS/Johnson County CC)
An all-state and all-metro player at Lansing HS, Briggs moved on to help Johnson County finish fifth in junior college nationals last season as a freshman.
She averaged nine points and four assists per game while running the point for JCCC while also shooting 41% from three-point range.
“Amy brings a great basketball IQ to the game, having learned a lot through growing up as a coaches’ daughter,”
Smith said. “Her ability to shoot from distance and unselfish play will bring a lot of success to our program over the next couple of years.”
Courtney Strait (5-foot-10, guard; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Kennedy HS)
Strait commits to Truman following a junior season where she scored 16 points per game and pulled down six rebounds per night for Kennedy HS.
She was named third-team all-state at the 4A level, while also picking up all-metro and all-district accolades.
She is a 42% shooter from three-point range.
“Courtney’s size and ability to shoot it from deep will be a big matchup problem for opposing teams,” Smith said. “She will be able to play a couple of different positions for us and will fit in well in our system.”
Kasey Gassensmith (5-foot-11, guard; Wheaton, Ill.; Warrenville South HS)
Gassensmith will join the Bulldog program following a career at Wheaton (Warrenville South) High School, where she averaged 11 points and five rebounds per game as a junior.
She was named all-area and honorable mention all-state at the 4A level for her play last season.
“Kasey is a long guard that has the ability to create off the dribble and pull up for the short jumper,”
Smith said. “I’m excited about her potential at this level, because she brings a different style to our program and has a chance to contribute right away.”
The Truman women open the 2011-12 regular season this Saturday (Nov. 12) afternoon at 1:00 pm against Lindenwood-Belleville (Ill.) in Pershing Arena.
The Bulldogs are coming off a 12-15 season that resulted in a 10-12 MIAA record and a trip to the MIAA postseason tournament.
Courtesy Truman State University
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