Women's Basketball Introduces Incoming Freshmen Class
Bethany, W.Va – The Bethany College women's basketball team announced the addition of eight incoming freshman in the 2019 recruiting class.
"We really like the recruiting class we're bringing in this year" stated fourth year head coach Brian Sansom. "Most importantly these young ladies are all really good students, and people that come from great families who we have been great supporters of their daughters on and off the court. We have really nice mix of young ladies who played on really good high school and AAU programs. We will have much more size than we have had in the past few years. We've had a lot of guards in the first three years, this year we will have a few more swing players and a few more posts players which will create some great competition in practice."
Bethany ended their 2018-19 campaign finishing 13-13 (8-8). The Bison have posted 12 or more wins and made the PAC tournament in three straight years since head coach Brian Sansom took over the reins. The green and white finished over .500 (13-12) in the regular season for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
The Bison look to replace seniors Ashley Duthie, Sammie Weiss, and Taylor Large. Second team All-PAC Weiss led the Bison with 13.3 points per game and was second on the team in rebounds with 6.3 per game. Duthie led the team with 6.6 rebounds and second on the team in scoring 10.9 points a game.
"It's hard to predict what your freshmen will be able to give you in their first year because there is a learning curve, adjustment period and you might no longer be the best player on the court anymore but it would be great to have them come along being able to give us quality minutes this year" added Sansom. "One thing that never changes is how I enjoying getting to meet new families each year to learn their story and build relationships. We're really looking forward to getting these eight young ladies to campus in August to begin their academic and athletic careers with us."
While seven of the incoming freshmen are from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. Coach Sansom landed a young lady from Melbourne, Australia.
Among the eight players are:
Kellee Applegate, 5'9, (Warren, OH/Lordstown HS)
Coach's Thoughts: "Kellee is a tremendous athlete with a great motor. I am really impressed with how she gets up and down the floor. She rebounds the ball very well, and can handle it pretty well for size. She can score it a little bit also which is always a nice thing. Kellee will play for Coach Kline and our volleyball team in the fall which will really help her coming into her first season with us."
Macy Chenot, 5'10, (Independence, KY/Simon Kenton HS)
Coach's Thoughts: "Macy has a great upside, and is someone who is really willing to work day in and day out to be the best she can be. She has a big frame and does a good job using her strengths in the post to her advantage. I really expect her to develop into a nice player over her career. Macy played for a really good High School program in Kentucky who always made deep runs into the state playoffs, we hope she can rub that success off into our program."
Makayla Dahman, 5'8, (Warren, OH/Howland HS)
Coach's Thoughts: "Makayla is a tough nosed young lady, she's long and uses that to her advantage especially on the defensive side of the ball. I know she has really put a focus on getting stronger and really developing her offensive skill set more. She has a nice outside shot and has the ability to get to the basket. Makayla has a lot of potential it will be hers and our job to pull that out of her over her 4 years."
Abbey Dobbins, 5'9, (Aliquippa, PA/Hopewell HS)
Coach's Thoughts: "Abbey's best basketball is ahead of her. Unfortunately she missed her senior season of high school ball because of an injury. It's always hard to sit out a season and bounce right back but if anyone can do it, Abbey is my pick. She's a worker and has a great motor on the floor. She can defend smaller guards but also bang inside with some posts. Offensively she has the ability to shoot the ball but also with her size can go finish around the basket as well."
Alexis Heap, 5'10, (Akron, OH/Copley HS)
Coach's Thoughts: "Alexis is really long and athletic, what's scary but great for us is I don't think she realizes how good she really could be. We really like how she's able to put it on the floor but also has a nice mid-range game as well. Her upside is through the roof, with some focus in the weight room and individual workouts Alexis potentially could have an outstanding career for us. The corny quote of sky is the limit really does fit in her case"
Sophie Morey, 6'1, (Mount Martha, Melbourne, Australia)
Coach's Thoughts: "Sophie was a great late addition to our recruiting class. She shoots the ball pretty well for her size along with getting up and down the floor, she's able to play both out on the wing and inside. We're impressed with her ability to defend out on the wing against smaller, quicker guards. She played for a good club in Australia and we hope that experience will help her and us. Sophie has never been to America so we're really excited to be able to give her the opportunity to get a great education and play the game she loves."
Samaria Murry, 5'10, (Akron, OH/St.Vincent-St. Mary's HS)
Coach's Thoughts: "Samaria comes to us with a lot of untapped ability. She was awarded the Presidential Scholarship which is the highest academic scholarship for incoming freshmen. Samaria just started playing organized basketball in 8th grade. She has a nice skill set in the post and we really love her focus on being a great rebounder. She is one of the most determined young ladies I have meant and I can't wait to work with her to help her reach her goals on and off the court."
Grace Omecinski, 5'8, (New Kensington, PA/Burrell HS)
Coach's Thoughts: "Grace played a lot of positions in high school so she and we will be happy to get in back into a position that she's most comfortable with. Grace is a very good athlete who has the ability to score going to the basket along with a good mid-range game. She's also a very smart defender. Grace has a good upside and work ethic so I really feel she could develop into a solid player for us during her career.
