Women's Basketball signs four for 2008-09
Wilmore, Ky. - Asbury College strengthened it's women's basketball roster this weekend with the signing of four players, each from highly respected public schools inside the Commonwealth. Interim Head Coach Bart Flener announced the four signings in a public viewing on the Asbury campus on Saturday, April 26th.
"Signing these four young women is a tremendous step in Asbury's program for next season", added Flener.
Flener became the Eagles coach on an interim basis on February 9th and guided the Eagles to a 3-3 finish down the stretch including a first-round upset of Alice Lloyd, 55-51 in the KIAC Tournament. Overall the team posted a 13-16 record, including a 3-6 mark in KIAC play.
About the signees:
Hanna Blankenship from Lexington's Henry Clay H.S. scored 416 of her 655 points overall during her final two seasons as a starter for the Blue Devils. Blankenship averaged 7.5 points per game her senior season, helping Henry Clay capture both the 43rd District and 11th Region Championships advancing to the Girls Sweet Sixteen before falling to Montgomery County in the first round.
"Hanna is one of the best athletes at Henry Clay," said Blue Devils head coach Scott Cromwell. "She is an extremely hard worker who will live in the gym if allowed."
Christy Gemmell comes from Anderson County under the direction of head coach Tony Kays. Gemmell starred at the point for the Bearcats, averaging 7.2 points per game while dishing out 3.5 assists per game. She was named to the All-30th District and All-8th Region Tournament team as the Bearcats were defeated in the 8th Region finals against Simon Kenton.
Gemmell was also awarded the Coaches Award at the banquet as well as being recognized as the Defensive Player of the Year. Gemmell was a four-year letterwinner at Anderson County and started her junior and senior seasons.
"Christy is a player who genuinely loves the game of basketball - playing year round, competing, and will play against guys and the gals." said Kays.
Ellen Gray hails from Owensboro's Apollo High School as a standout shooting guard who made 160 of her three point attempts during her junior and senior seasons combined. Gray finished her senior season averaging 17.4 points per game. Overall she scored 1,086 points in her four seasons, three as a starter, ranking the 13th highest point scorer in Apollo history.
She ranked third in the state with 2.8 made three-pointers per game while being named to the All-9th District first team and the All-3rd Region second team. Gray also earned honorable mention honors for the 3rd Region for 2006-07, her first starting season that saw her score 13.7 points per game.
"Ellen is a player that you love to coach with her determination, effort, and strong work ethic," said head coach Jason Powers. "She will prove to be a strong asset to the Asbury program."
Hayley Spivey comes from Harrodsburg's Mercer County H.S. having averaged 19 points per game and 7 rebounds per game her senior season, scoring over 600 total points. Spivey led the team in field goal and free throw percentages while being named to the All-46th District team each of her past two seasons and earning All-12th Region honors this season.
In addition, Spivey was named to the Danville Advocate Messenger's First Team All-Area. Spivey was a four-year letterwinner while also starting her junior and senior seasons for head coach Chris Souder.
"Hayley is the most explosive player I've coached in my nine years at Mercer," said Souder. "Her best days are ahead and I encourage her to be assertive right from the start of her college career."
Tagged: 0809-recruits, womens-basketball and athletics
