Women's Basketball adds four to 2009-10 squad
11/21/2008 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 21, 2008
www.siuslaukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois women's basketball head coach Dana Eikenberg announced the signing of four student-athletes for the 2009-10 season. Katerina Garcia, Genesis Kelly, Nneka (neck-uh) Nwani (whan-ee) and Kiaherra Powell signed national letters of intent to play for the Salukis next season. The Salukis add two junior college transfers and two freshmen.
Katerina Garcia
5-5 • Point Guard
Hometown • Bayfield, Co.
High School • Durango
Notes: A three-time all-conference pick at Durango High School... As a junior earned conference player of the year in 2007-08, averaging 20 points, 5.4 assists and 4.9 steals per game... named All-State second team and Academic All-State first team... ranked second in Colorado Class 5A in scoring and steals, ranked third in assists as a junior... named All-State honorable mention as a freshman (2005-06) averaging 20.5 points, 5.7 assists and 4.3 steals and sophomore (2006-07) averaging 14.2 points, 4.9 assists and 4.9 steals per contest... holds school records for points in a game (38), career points (1,279), assists (374) and steals (310).
Coach Eikenberg on Garcia: "Kat is a quick, athletic point guard that has ability to score in a variety a ways and is a playmaker. She is ultra competitive and has an unbelievable work ethic. The best court vision I have ever seen, in the open she is fun to watch! Defensively she is all over the court, loves to put pressure on opposing point guards, plays with a ton of energy and makes her teammates better."
Genesis Kelly
5-9 • Guard/Forward
Hometown • Fort Pierce, Fla.
High School • Jensen Beach
Junior College • Hillsborough
Notes: Named Southern Conference Player of the Year and first team all-conference for the 2007-08 season at Hillsborough... in 28 games, she averaged 14.5 points, 5.4 assists and 2.4 steals, leading her team to a 17-11 record.
Coach Eikenberg on Kelly: "Genesis is a quick, athletic combo guard with a high basketball IQ. She is a scorer, with a great handle and can get by her defender and create a shot. Defensively, she has quick hands and anticipates well, and she understands the game which gives her such an advantage on both ends."
Nneka Nwani
6-0 • Forward
Hometown • Lombard, Ill.
High School • Oak Park-River Forest
Junior College • Moberly
Notes: As a freshman at Moberly, averaged 10.0 points 7.0 rebounds... Nwani has opened the 2008-09 season averaging 8.0 points and 7.0 rebounds.
Coach Eikenberg on Nwani: "Nneka will pose a major mismatch problem for opposing posts. She is extremely athletic with a a lot of strength. Around the rim she can explode to the basket. Her rebounding ability is top notch, not only can she jump out of the gym but she has a nose for the ball. She is a hard worker and has a great attitude."
Kiaherra (Kiki) Powell
6-0 • Forward
Hometown • Chicago, Ill.
High School • Von Steuben
Notes: A two-time All-City and All-Conference selection for Von Steuben as a sophomoore and junior... As a sophomore (2006-07) led her team to a 23-6 record and a trip to the sectionals averaging 11.2 points and 7.0 rebounds... As a junior (2007-08), her team posted a 21-8 record and made it to the regionals... Powell averaged 10.8 points and 8.0 boards.
Coach Eikenberg on Powell: "Kiki will be a great presence on the low block. She has great hands and quick feet for her size and a soft touch around the rim. She loves contact and with her strength will be tough to guard. She has played with the best and against the best in both her AAU and high school programs."