Bobcat women ink six for 2003-04 campaign
4/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The thing that really stands out with this group is that they are phenomenal student-athletes, said Potera-Haskins, who led MSU to its second straight Big Sky Conference title this winter. "We’re very excited with the class we’ve signed."
Joining the Bobcats next season will be three junior college transfers, including Nina Sanford, a 6-foot post from Murray, UT; Hillary Scott, a 5-foot-9 guard from West Jordan, UT; and Jaimey Tanner, a 5-foot-5 guard from Kirtland, NM. In addition, three high school standouts have also inked to play next winter, including Scotta Morton, a 5-foot-10 forward from Bozeman; Lori Jo Neubauer, a 5-foot-5 guard from Wolf Point; and Katie Proietti, a 6-foot forward from Merced, CA.
Sanford, who signed with MSU during the fall period (not enough information was available to release at that time), played the past two seasons at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. Last winter, she averaged 11.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game to pace the Badgers to an 18-9 overall record. In addition, Sanford shot 48 percent from the field and 74 percent from the free throw line. For her efforts, she was named All-Scenic West Region 18 honorable mention.
As a prepster at Murray High School, Sanford was an all-state selection and earned offensive and defensive MVP honors.
"Nina (Sanford) is a fundamentally sound player," Potera-Haskins said. "She is a very hardworking and dedicated athlete. At 6-feet tall, Nina is a very strong and physical post player that will fit well into our program."
Scott, who played with Sanford at Snow College, averaged 8.4 points, while connecting on 30 three-pointers for the Badgers last winter. She finished the 2002-03 campaign shooting 40 percent from the floor and 70 percent from the free throw line. As a prepster at West Jordan High School, Scott was an all-state selection and garnered WJHS Athlete of the Year accolades.
"Hillary (Scott) is a tremendous athlete," Potera-Haskins said. "She is exceptionally quick and can shoot the three-pointer. She also likes to run, which is what we do best."
Tanner, a transfer from Dixie College in St. George, Utah, averaged ten points and three assists per game last winter, helping the Rebels to a 28-7 overall mark and a trip to the National Junior College Championships. Dixie College also won the Scenic West Conference with a 13-3 league slate. During her two-year stint in St. George, the Rebels posted a 52-12 record. For her efforts, Tanner was a first-team All-Region 18 selection.
For the season, Tanner shot 42 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range. Her 2.14 three-point field goals per game were second best in the Scenic West last season. A high school standout at Kirtland Central in New Mexico, she was a five-year letterwinner for the Broncos. In addition, she was an all-state pick; a District Player of the Year; team most valuable player, Navajo Times All-Area All-Star; and an all-district academic selection.
Jaimey (Tanner) is an outstanding point guard that is a tremendous leader," Potera-Haskins said. "She knows how to run a team and where the ball needs to be on the court. Jaimey is also a good three-point threat and can come into our program and be an immediate contributor."
Morton, a local product from Gallatin Gateway, averaged 12.8 points, while shooting 46 percent from the field, 49 percent from three-point range and 71 percent from the charity stripe last winter. She helped the Hawks to a 16-8 overall mark and a fourth place finish at the Montana State AA tournament. For her efforts, Morton was an all-state, all-state tournament and first-team all-conference selection. In addition, she ranks No. 1 in her class and garnered all-state academic kudos on three occasions as well as being named most inspirational.
"Scotta (Morton) is a tremendous student athlete," Potera-Haskins said. "She is an intelligent player from a very good high school program. I really like her work ethic and ability to knock down the three-pointer. She is a great fit for Montana State University."
Neubauer, who was named Montana State B Player of the Year after leading the Wolves to the state title, averaged 17 points, four rebounds and two steals per game last winter. She was a three-time all-state honoree as well as a four-time first-team all-conference pick. Neubauer finished her career as Wolf Point’s all-time leading scorer with 1,285 points.
Selected to play in the Montana/Wyoming All-Star Classic this summer, Neubauer is an all-state academic honoree and holds a 3.9 grade-point average.
"We’re thrilled to have Lori Jo (Neubauer) become part of our program," Potera-Haskins. "She was the MVP of the state tournament and really has a knack for rising to the occasion. She handles herself in pressure situations very well and is an offensive minded player."
Proietti, who was the Central California Conference Most Valuable Player at Merced High School, averaged 21.9 points and 13.5 rebounds per game this season. A two-time Merced Sun Player of the Year, Proietti finished her high school career as the school’s all-time leading scorer (1,913 points) and rebounder (1,470). In all, she set or tied 14 school records. Last season, she notched a career-high 40 points and 22 rebounds against Alhambra. A good three-point shooter, she tallied a career-best 28 treys this season.
As a junior, Proietti averaged 17.5 points and 13.3 rebounds per outing. Off the court, she will be the valedictorian of her class this spring.
"Katie (Proietti) is an outstanding student-athlete," Potera-Haskins said. "She is a very versatile player and is a proven winner. Katie is a tremendous scorer and rebounder and makes everyone around her play better. I’m very excited with what she’ll bring to the program."
The six student-athletes will join freshman Joanna Hixon and Alyssa Nelson who signed this fall as newcomers for the 2003-04 season.
2003-04 Montana State Women’s Basketball Personnel:
Returners:
Sheila Hutchison G 5-9 Sr. Blackfoot, ID
Jana Smith G 5-9 Sr. Ronan, MT
Belinda Stubbs C 6-2 Sr. Ayr, Australia
Kati Burrows F 5-11 Jr. Bozeman, MT
Redshirts:
Whitney Connolly C 6-3 Fr. Ennis, MT
Briana Fields F 5-11 Jr. Bozeman, MT
Newcomers:
Joanna Hixon F 5-11 Fr. Reno, NV
Alyssa Nelson G 5-5 Fr. Edina, MN
Scotta Morton F 5-10 Fr. Bozeman, MT
Lori Jo Neubauer G 5-5 Fr. Wolf Point, MT
Katie Proietti F 6-0 Fr. Merced, CA
Nina Sanford C 6-0 Jr. Murray, UT/Snow CC
Hillary Scott G 5-9 Jr. West Jordan, UT/Snow CC
Jaimey Tanner G 5-5 Jr. Kirtland, NM/Dixie CC
Joining the Bobcats next season will be three junior college transfers, including Nina Sanford, a 6-foot post from Murray, UT; Hillary Scott, a 5-foot-9 guard from West Jordan, UT; and Jaimey Tanner, a 5-foot-5 guard from Kirtland, NM. In addition, three high school standouts have also inked to play next winter, including Scotta Morton, a 5-foot-10 forward from Bozeman; Lori Jo Neubauer, a 5-foot-5 guard from Wolf Point; and Katie Proietti, a 6-foot forward from Merced, CA.
Sanford, who signed with MSU during the fall period (not enough information was available to release at that time), played the past two seasons at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. Last winter, she averaged 11.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game to pace the Badgers to an 18-9 overall record. In addition, Sanford shot 48 percent from the field and 74 percent from the free throw line. For her efforts, she was named All-Scenic West Region 18 honorable mention.
As a prepster at Murray High School, Sanford was an all-state selection and earned offensive and defensive MVP honors.
"Nina (Sanford) is a fundamentally sound player," Potera-Haskins said. "She is a very hardworking and dedicated athlete. At 6-feet tall, Nina is a very strong and physical post player that will fit well into our program."
Scott, who played with Sanford at Snow College, averaged 8.4 points, while connecting on 30 three-pointers for the Badgers last winter. She finished the 2002-03 campaign shooting 40 percent from the floor and 70 percent from the free throw line. As a prepster at West Jordan High School, Scott was an all-state selection and garnered WJHS Athlete of the Year accolades.
"Hillary (Scott) is a tremendous athlete," Potera-Haskins said. "She is exceptionally quick and can shoot the three-pointer. She also likes to run, which is what we do best."
Tanner, a transfer from Dixie College in St. George, Utah, averaged ten points and three assists per game last winter, helping the Rebels to a 28-7 overall mark and a trip to the National Junior College Championships. Dixie College also won the Scenic West Conference with a 13-3 league slate. During her two-year stint in St. George, the Rebels posted a 52-12 record. For her efforts, Tanner was a first-team All-Region 18 selection.
For the season, Tanner shot 42 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range. Her 2.14 three-point field goals per game were second best in the Scenic West last season. A high school standout at Kirtland Central in New Mexico, she was a five-year letterwinner for the Broncos. In addition, she was an all-state pick; a District Player of the Year; team most valuable player, Navajo Times All-Area All-Star; and an all-district academic selection.
Jaimey (Tanner) is an outstanding point guard that is a tremendous leader," Potera-Haskins said. "She knows how to run a team and where the ball needs to be on the court. Jaimey is also a good three-point threat and can come into our program and be an immediate contributor."
Morton, a local product from Gallatin Gateway, averaged 12.8 points, while shooting 46 percent from the field, 49 percent from three-point range and 71 percent from the charity stripe last winter. She helped the Hawks to a 16-8 overall mark and a fourth place finish at the Montana State AA tournament. For her efforts, Morton was an all-state, all-state tournament and first-team all-conference selection. In addition, she ranks No. 1 in her class and garnered all-state academic kudos on three occasions as well as being named most inspirational.
"Scotta (Morton) is a tremendous student athlete," Potera-Haskins said. "She is an intelligent player from a very good high school program. I really like her work ethic and ability to knock down the three-pointer. She is a great fit for Montana State University."
Neubauer, who was named Montana State B Player of the Year after leading the Wolves to the state title, averaged 17 points, four rebounds and two steals per game last winter. She was a three-time all-state honoree as well as a four-time first-team all-conference pick. Neubauer finished her career as Wolf Point’s all-time leading scorer with 1,285 points.
Selected to play in the Montana/Wyoming All-Star Classic this summer, Neubauer is an all-state academic honoree and holds a 3.9 grade-point average.
"We’re thrilled to have Lori Jo (Neubauer) become part of our program," Potera-Haskins. "She was the MVP of the state tournament and really has a knack for rising to the occasion. She handles herself in pressure situations very well and is an offensive minded player."
Proietti, who was the Central California Conference Most Valuable Player at Merced High School, averaged 21.9 points and 13.5 rebounds per game this season. A two-time Merced Sun Player of the Year, Proietti finished her high school career as the school’s all-time leading scorer (1,913 points) and rebounder (1,470). In all, she set or tied 14 school records. Last season, she notched a career-high 40 points and 22 rebounds against Alhambra. A good three-point shooter, she tallied a career-best 28 treys this season.
As a junior, Proietti averaged 17.5 points and 13.3 rebounds per outing. Off the court, she will be the valedictorian of her class this spring.
"Katie (Proietti) is an outstanding student-athlete," Potera-Haskins said. "She is a very versatile player and is a proven winner. Katie is a tremendous scorer and rebounder and makes everyone around her play better. I’m very excited with what she’ll bring to the program."
The six student-athletes will join freshman Joanna Hixon and Alyssa Nelson who signed this fall as newcomers for the 2003-04 season.
2003-04 Montana State Women’s Basketball Personnel:
Returners:
Sheila Hutchison G 5-9 Sr. Blackfoot, ID
Jana Smith G 5-9 Sr. Ronan, MT
Belinda Stubbs C 6-2 Sr. Ayr, Australia
Kati Burrows F 5-11 Jr. Bozeman, MT
Redshirts:
Whitney Connolly C 6-3 Fr. Ennis, MT
Briana Fields F 5-11 Jr. Bozeman, MT
Newcomers:
Joanna Hixon F 5-11 Fr. Reno, NV
Alyssa Nelson G 5-5 Fr. Edina, MN
Scotta Morton F 5-10 Fr. Bozeman, MT
Lori Jo Neubauer G 5-5 Fr. Wolf Point, MT
Katie Proietti F 6-0 Fr. Merced, CA
Nina Sanford C 6-0 Jr. Murray, UT/Snow CC
Hillary Scott G 5-9 Jr. West Jordan, UT/Snow CC
Jaimey Tanner G 5-5 Jr. Kirtland, NM/Dixie CC
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