April 28, 2008

Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham women's basketball coach Cathy Andruzzi announced the signing of two junior college transfers today, forward Randall Hurst (West Bloomfield, Mich./West Bloomfield (Daytona Beach CC)) and forward Tiffany Stokes (Lynwood, Ill./Thorton Fractional South (Butler County CC)) have both signed to play for Fordham University, beginning in the 2008-09 season. They join guard Becky Peters (Cranberry, N.J./West Windsor-Plainsboro South) and guard Tyonna Willingham (Cary, N.C./Athens Drive), who signed with the Rams during the early period.

"We are thrilled with the signing of Randall and Tiffany. They bring experience on the college level that will have an immediate impact on our program. They are versatile players, who add depth to our perimeter and inside game. They know how to score and rebound," said Andruzzi.

Hurst, a 5-11 forward from Michigan, spent last season at Daytona Beach Community College following one season at the University of Central Florida. At Daytona Beach in 2007-08, she averaged 11.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per contest in 21 games, while shooting 50% from the field to go with four double-doubles. She was listed as a top 100 Junior College sophomore and the 20th best power forward by Dan Olson's Collegiate Girls Basketball Report.

A three-sport athlete at West Bloomfield High School, Hurst was a two-time All-Area, All-State and All-North selection in basketball, averaging 20 points, 21 rebounds, and six assists during her senior season. In addition, she was also an All-State performer in the shot put and discus field events.

"I have been watching Randall play since high school and on the AAU circuit. She has always impressed me as being a smart, tough ballplayer. Randall is a competitor who comes from winning programs. She is a small forward with a thick frame that will give us a strong physical presence inside. She also has shooting range beyond the arc. Randall is an outstanding rebounder, she knows how to compete and get to the glass," said Andruzzi.

Stokes, a 6-1 forward from Illinois, played this past season at Butler County Community College, where she averaged 11.2 points and eight rebounds a contest. She was listed as a top 75 Junior College freshman and the 9th best small forward by Dan Olson's Collegiate Girls Basketball Report.

Prior to Butler, Stokes played basketball at Thorton Fractional South High School, averaging 15 points and ten rebounds as a senior. She earned All-Conference honors, and was selected to the All-Area team by the Northwest Indiana Times and Daily Southtown.

"Tiffany's best basketball is ahead of her. She has a lot of potential to take her game to another level. She is long, athletic and explosive and flourishes in an up tempo game. Her versatility adds great value to our player personnel. She has played the point and the post. She is a scorer who can create her own shot, and a shot blocker who gets to the boards," said Andruzzi.