Tiber signs four for 2011-12
11/10/2010 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 10, 2010
By Bill Ford
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. --Southern Illinois women's basketball coach Missy Tiber announced the signing of four players for 2011-12 in a recruiting class ranked 37th in the nation by ESPN Hoopgurlz and 43rd in the nation by All-Star Girls Report.
The class includes:
Ariel Haynes, 5-foot-11 guard/forward from Bogan High School, Chicago.
Falon Edwards, 5-foot-9 guard from Bolingbrook High School, Bolingbrook, Ill.
Jaleesa Armstrong, 5-foot-5 point guard from Bogan High School, Chicago
Alexus Patterson, 6-foot-2 post from Knoxville West High School, Knoxville, Tenn.
"We are very pleased and excited with this recruiting class," Tiber said. "We worked hard to make our way into Illinois, specifically Chicago, where there is big-time recruiting. All three of Ariel, Falon and Jaleesa are very well known throughout Chicago and I believe they will have immediate impacts as players and for future recruiting."
Highlighting the 2011-12 class is Haynes, a four-star, ESPN HoopGurlz Top-100 recruit. HoopGurlz ranked Haynes 94th overall in her class and 18th at her position.
"Ariel's athleticism and physical size and strength will be a great asset to us," Tiber said. "She can really elevate to the rim and finish around the basket. Her ability in the open court is impressive as well. Ariel was highly recruited by many major programs for a reason and we are thrilled to have her with us."
Also a ranked a four-star recruit by HoopGurlz, Edwards helped Bolingbrook to back-to-back Illinois Class 4A state championships in 2009 and 2010. HoopGurlz ranked Edwards 25th at her position.
"Falon Edwards is a very gifted athlete. She has great ability to get to the basket and is a big, physical guard," Tiber said. "We continue to make every effort to get players from winning programs and Falon is from one of the best at Bolingbrook where she was a major contributor in winning two state championships. Coach Tony Smith prepares his players well for the next level so her transition should be smooth."
Joining her high school teammate Haynes at SIU will be Armstrong, whom HoopGurlz ranked 55th at her position as three-star recruit.
"Jaleesa Armstrong is an outstanding point guard. She is an unbelievable passer and handles the ball with ease going left and right," Tiber said. "She is very mature for her age and that translates to great leadership and direction on the court. Her speed with the ball is outstanding as well.
"Ariel and Jaleesa have been teammates for a very long time and I think that connection will benefit us and them. They also come from a highly successful program and Coach Gary Bell knows how to coach his kids to be successful now and later."
Rounding out the class, Patterson will help strengthen the Saluki frontcourt in 2011-12.
"Alexus Patterson is a physical low post presence. She is skilled on the block and makes moves that you don't see much from high school kids," Tiber said. "She is difficult to defend because of her skill but also because of her confidence to score and her strength. Her rebounding ability will be needed as well. She gives us a much different look offensively and I'm excited to get to coach her."