Nov. 16, 2006

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - St. Bonaventure women's basketball head coach Jim Crowley announced the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on the final day of the early signing period.

Cara Gustafson (Omaha, Neb./Gretna), Amanda Johnson (Harmony, Pa./Seneca Valley), Tiara Johnson (Kansas City, MO./North Central Missouri College) and Negesti Taylor (Harrisburg, Pa./Harrisburg) will join the Bonnies beginning in the 2007-08 season.

Cara Gustafson

A three-year starter, Gustafson averaged 10.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 2.2 assists per game in leading Gretna to the Class B State Championship last season. Coached by Jerome Skrdla, the 5-foot-10 guard was named to the Class B All-State first team and All-Omaha Area after guiding the Lady Dragons to a 23-2 record. For her career, Gustafson has averaged 10.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 2.0 assists per contest and was named Honorable Mention All-State in both her freshman and sophomore years. She has played the past two summers for the Cornhusker Shooting Stars-Bison Select AAU team.

"We have wing players who can shoot, but Cara combines that with good athleticism and is an exception defender," said Crowley. "She's played at a high level in both the AAU and High School levels and has been well coached."

The 6-foot-2 Johnson averaged 5.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in her junior season at Seneca Valley. Johnson helped lead the Raiders to a 17-10 mark last season and berth into the WPIAL Class AAAA State Tournament. This season, Johnson will be coached by former St. Bonaventure player and coach Kelly Matthews.

"Amanda is very comfortable on the perimeter passing the ball and is learning to be more physical inside," Crowley said. "She's a tireless worker who has nice touch around the basket and can distribute the ball well. Working with Kelly this season will certainly benefit her and us."

Tiara Johnson

Tiara Johnson started all 30 games last season, leading North Central Missouri College to 23-7 record and a Division II ranking as high as 9th in the nation. The 5-foot-8 point guard averaged 9.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game in 2005-06. She was an NJCAA Region 16 first team selection and made the All-Tournament team at the Hesston College Thanksgiving Classic and the NCMC Mark Whitaker Classic. So far this season, Johnson is averaging 12.4 points, 7.8 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game during the Lady Pirates 3-0 start.

"Tiara is college ready and can really fill the stat sheet," said Crowley. "She is the total package in a point guard and gives us another person who is extremely quick with the ball in her hands."

As a junior at Harrisburg, the 6-foot-4 Taylor averaged 9.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and 6.0 blocks per game en route to earning Big 15 Honorable Mention honors. Under the guidance of head coach Larry Moore, Taylor helped guide the Cougars to a 14-10 record in 2005-06 and to the Pennsylvania Class AAAA State Championship Game as a sophomore.

"Negesti gives us good size in the post, but also fits how we like to play. She's still a little raw offensive, but defensively she can change the game and that's really something we need," said Crowley. "She not only blocks shots, but has the ability to alter shots and make people second guess when they get inside the paint."

"All of these kids are going to help us get more athletic and become a better defensive basketball team," Crowley said. "Each of them fit our system and will give us some much needed depth next season."

The Bonnies will defend their 2005 St. Bonaventure Shootout title this weekend when they open the third annual tournament against Columbia on Saturday at 6 p.m. at First Arena in Elmira, N.Y. Manhattan will take on Buffalo in the first game on Saturday starting at 4 p.m. Tickets are available at the First Arena Box Office (607) 734-7825 or at any Ticketmaster location. Additional information can be found on the tournament's official Web site, www.stbonashootout.com.