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Women's Basketball
Bonnies sign three in early signing period
Nov. 19, 2008
ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - In the midst of his team's 2-0 start to the 2008-09 campaign, St. Bonaventure women's basketball head coach Jim Crowley announced the signing of three student-athletes to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period. Chelsea Bowker (Salem, Ohio/Crestview), Colleen Kiss (Pittsburgh, Pa./Oakland Catholic) and Alaina Walker (Pomona, N.Y./Albertus Magnus) will all join the Bonnies next fall and will all have four years of eligibility. "The 2009 class is a very important one for us on and off the floor; we are losing five seniors that make us better every day and in a lot of different ways," said Crowley. "While there is no way to replace what those five have brought to our program, my staff has done an amazing job of bringing in three student-athletes who fit the skills, style, personality and intelligence we need to keep our program heading in the right direction." Bowker, a Salem, Ohio native, was a second team All-Ohioan selection in Division III last season, during which she averaged 24.8 points per game to go along with 12 rebounds and 3.9 assists. A 4.0 grade-point-average student athlete, Bowker has already set five school records at Crestview, including career points with 1,431 and most points in a season with 570. "Chelsea's versatility and creative style are skills that fit very well with what we need," said Crowley. "She can score in a number of different ways from a number of different places and is a very gifted passer. She will be able to create match-up issues and make us a tough team to defend." Kiss, who hails from the McKeesport, Pa. area, attends Regional powerhouse Oakland Catholic. Kiss averaged 14.5 points per game in her junior season as she led the Oakland Catholic girl's squad to the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) Quad A Quarterfinals. Kiss was named to the WPIAL District 7 All-Section first team and the Pittsburgh Post Gazette Fab Five Eastern team following the 2007-08 season. Kiss was ranked as the 229th best prospect in the country according to the Blue Star College Basketball Report.
"Colleen gives us a strong, athletic guard who can score in a hurry and in a number of different ways," said Crowley. "She has a great work ethic, intensity, and passion for the game that will help make our program better." Walker, who committed to the Brown and White after her junior season at Albertus Magnus, was ranked the 61st best guard in the country according to ESPN.com and the 195th best prospect according to the Blue Star College Basketball Report. The Pomona, N.Y. product transferred into Albertus Magnus from North Rockland High Scholl after her sophomore year. In her first year at Albertus Magnus, Walker led her team to a perfect 20-0 regular season record by averaging 22.3 points per game. For her efforts during her junior campaign, Walker garnered numerous accolades, including the Rockland County Player of the Year award and a fourth team All-State selection. "Alaina is a terrific breakdown guard who plays the game at a very high speed and intensity level," said Crowley. "Her ability to get by her defender and create will fit very well into our style of play. She is a very good athlete and special competitor who we think will make us better from the day she gets to campus." The Bonnies are back in action Wednesday when they battle Big 4 foe Canisius at the Reilly Center. The game tips off at 7 p.m. on Bob Lanier Court. |
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