May 17, 2007
Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham Women's Basketball Head Coach Cathy Andruzzi announced the signing of five players to National Letters of Intent for the 2007-08 season today, as the Rams add three junior college transfers and two high school student-athletes to the roster. They are guard Kristina Bell (West Bloomfield, Mich./Mercy HS), guard Raina Spencer (Cleveland, Ohio/Glenville HS), forward Takita Earl (Elkhart, Ind./Elkhart Central HS/Rend Lake College), forward/center Kassie Humphries (Frankton, Ind./Franklin Jr./Sr. HS/Rend Lake College), and center Carissa Morrill (Manhattan, Kan./Manhattan HS/Independence CC).
"We are thrilled with our inaugural recruiting class! Our coaching staff did an outstanding job meeting the huge challenge, revamping a lean, inexperienced squad. It was vital for us to compliment the November signees and recruit experienced players to create a mix of veterans and youth at every position," said Andruzzi.
"Signing Megan Mahoney, Kyara Weekes and Alexandria Zamora to National Letters of Intent in November laid the foundation. In the April signing period, we were able to secure size and experience with the commitments from junior college bigs Morrill, Humphries and Earl. Joining them are two quick, athletic guards in Spencer and Bell."
"We added size, experience, athleticism, and filled specific position needs we lacked last season. More importantly these players are passionate and competitive and have the character to fit the personality of our program."
Bell, a 5-9 guard from West Bloomfield, Mich., was a four-year member of the varsity basketball team at Mercy High School, earning All-Metro honors from the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News in 2005 and 2006. A Third Team All-State selection in 2006, she averaged 12.0 points, six rebounds, and five assists per game, and was an All-Star selection by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan. Bell, who was listed among the Top 50 Michigan Point Guards, also received All-League and All-Catholic distinction from 2004-06. In addition to being a basketball standout, she has also earned multiple accolades in track, running the 200, 400, and 800 meter events. She is a three-time All-City, All-County, All-League, and All-Catholic League selection in track, as well as earning All-Region distinction twice. Away from athletics, Bell has served as Student Government Class President and Vice-President at Mercy High School, while being active in community service, working with the Mercy Works Community Outreach program, as well as serving on a Mission Trip to Icthys Academy in Guiamaca, Honduras.
"Kristina has upside to her game. She is a smart player, who gives us size and a thick athletic body we need in the backcourt. She is a combo guard, whose strong track background provides her with an explosive first step and stamina," said Andruzzi.
Spencer, a 5-9 guard from Cleveland, Ohio, has been a three-sport athlete at Glenville High School, competing in basketball, volleyball, and track. A McDonald's High School All-American nominee, she was rated the 40th best shooting guard nationally by the All Star Girls Report and was a Second Team All-State selection by the Cleveland Plain Dealer. She scored over 1,000 points in her career and participated at the 2006 adidas Top Ten Camp. Spencer, who was selected as the Most Valuable Player for the Senate Athletic League in 2006-07 for basketball, also earned that honor for volleyball as a senior, helping that team to five City Championships. In track, she currently holds the high jump record at the Outdoor City Championships and earned State Runner-Up status in the high jump in 2006. Away from athletics, Spencer is a member of the Glenville High School Honor Roll.
"There are many things that impress me about Raina, but the one thing that stands out is her confidence and composure on the court. When the game is on the line, Raina wants the rock in her hand. She is a versatile, quick player that can get to the rim and poses a threat from beyond the arc. She is an outstanding track athlete with great leaping ability, and has been able to transfer the skills she has acquired as a high and long jumper to her basketball repertoire," said Andruzzi.
Earl, a 6-1 forward from Elkhart, Ind., is one of two transfers from Rend Lake College in Ina, Illinois. At Rend Lake, she helped the Lady Warriors to a 24-8 record in 2006-07 and the finals of the Region 24 Championship, falling to the #1 team in the country, Southeastern Illinois, by three points. A two-time Dean's List student at Rend Lake, she was named the Most Improved Player twice, and as a sophomore, shot 50% from the floor, averaging over six points, six rebounds, and two blocks a game. At Elkhart Central High School, Earl was a two-sport varsity athlete in basketball and track. In basketball, she was a two-year captain, leading Elkhart in rebounding and blocks, while receiving Honorable Mention All-League honors twice and All-Star status once. Away from athletics, Earl has been a student teacher at Co-Op Learning, while attending Rend Lake College.
"Big, quick and athletic, that's Takita. She is a player growing into her game. I think she has tremendous potential. Takita can fly up and down the court. Her speed in the frontcourt will complement the backcourt tempo and will offer us system flexibility," said Andruzzi.
Humphries, a 6-2 forward/center from Frankton, Ind., is also a transfer from Rend Lake College and a two-year teammate of Takita Earl. A two-year starter at Rend Lake, she served as team captain as a sophomore and received the team's sportsmanship award. She averaged 8.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and two blocks a contest, as Rend Lake advanced to the final of the Region 24 Championship. While at Rend Lake, Humphries has been extremely active, serving as a student ambassador and assistant at the academic counseling office. She has also taken part in the Study Abroad Program in Jamaica and the Summer Geology Program in Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico. In high school, she was a four-year letter winner on the basketball team at Franklin Jr./Sr. High School, serving as team captain her senior year, while garnering All-County honors. Academically, Humphries received an Associates Degree in Art and Science from Rend Lake College. While at Franklin, she was a member of the National Technical and French Honor Societies.
"Kassie is an experienced big who knows how to compete in tight situations. At 6'2, Kassie has a strong mid-range game that will add a new dimension to our offense. She has length and mobility which allow her to become an effective rebounder," said Andruzzi.
Morrill, a 6-5 center from Manhattan, Kan., is a transfer from Independence Community College in Independence, Kan. A defensive force at Independence, she was named Most Improved and Best Defensive Player after leading the Jayhawk Community College Conference in blocks with 65 and placing 11th in defensive rebounds with 110 (3.5 drpg). Overall, she averaged 4.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks as a sophomore. Away from the court, Morill was named to the President's List Honor Roll for Fall 2006, and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, a student club that takes part in community service projects. She has served as a math tutor at the TRIO LAB and PALS Programs, as well as at the Student Success Center, while helping out with the after school elementary program, Kids Crew. Prior to college, Morrill was a member of the basketball, volleyball, and soccer teams at Manhattan High School, and was actively involved with her Church Youth Group, Key Club (community service club) and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
"Carissa gives us a special presence in paint. She is a skilled shot blocker, taking great pride this past season on developing her defensive game. She moves up and down the court very well for her size. Carissa is extremely motivated and focused on taking her game to another level," said Andruzzi.
This group joins early signees Megan Mahoney (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Peter's), Alexandria Zamora (Apopka, Fla./Bishop Moore), and Kyara Weekes (Cambridge, Mass./Cambridge Rindge & Latin) as incoming Rams for the 2007-08 season.
