Montana State Women’s Basketball Program Adds Three to Roster
4/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Inking with the Bobcats are Janette Jackson, a 5-8 guard from Denver; Gianne Fleming, a 6-0 forward from Phoenix; and Alyssa McGuinnis, a 6-1 forward from Parker, Colorado.
Jackson, who prepped at Thomas Jefferson High School in Denver, originally signed with Missouri State of the Missouri Valley Conference. She played in 11 games for the Bears and averaged 6.5 minutes, this winter.
As a prepster, Jackson was a second-team all-state selection and led the Spartans to a conference title and a state playoff appearance. Playing four different positions, she averaged 16.8 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 4.6 steals per game. Jackson led Colorado Class 4A in steals, and ranked sixth in the entire state in assists. In addition, she ranked first in the state in rebounding.
“Janette will have to sit out her first year, but that will give her time to develop,” Binford said. “She will be one of the best athletes to ever play in our program.
“Janette possesses outstanding athleticism and is perfect for our style,” Binford added. “She is an excellent defender, and can rebound extremely well from the guard position. With a year of Division I experience, she’ll play a big role in the practice gym, and will really push our guards to become even better.”
She is the daughter of Jim and Janet Jackson. Her father Jim Jackson played football at the University of Colorado.
Fleming is a senior at St. Mary’s High School in Phoenix, Ariz. This winter, she averaged 15 points, 8 rebounds, two steals and two blocks per game, while shooting 65 percent from the field and 79 percent from the free throw line.
For her efforts, Fleming garnered honorable mention All-Desert Valley honors as the Knights posted an 18-9 overall mark and won the regular-season and Desert Valley Region tournament. She was also named team most inspirational the last two seasons, as well. Fleming, who lettered two years at St. Mary’s, played her sophomore and freshman years at Richland Northeast High School in Columbia, So., Carolina, where she was team MVP.
“Gianne is another versatile forward that will be an inside/outside threat,” Binford said. “She runs the floor very well, and along with current player Nubia Garcia, will be a tough match-up for opponents.
“Gianne can shoot the three-pointer very well,” Binford added. “She’s played in some different systems during her career and she’ll adapt well at MSU. Gianne comes from an outstanding high school program, and she’ll bring that experience to our program.”
She is the daughter of Mary Fleming and Jose Rameriez. Fleming is a native of Harlem, New York.
McGuinnis is a senior at Chapparal High School in Parker, Colorado. A two-time all-state selection and a three-time All-Continental League pick, she averaged 9.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.6 blocks per game. This season, she helped lead the Wolverines to a 22-5 overall mark and a Colorado 5A Final Four appearance.
During her tenure at Chaparral High School the team posted an overall mark of 68-29. McGuinnis set a CHS school single-season mark shooting 57 percent from the field. In addition, she also set the school mark with 140 blocked shots.
“Alyssa is another inside/outside player that has a good three-point touch,” Binford said. “She has great court vision and is a tremendous passer.
“She’ll fit in great with our spread motion,” Binford added. “We believe she has untapped potential, not too mention being an outstanding student.”
An all-state academic choice, she is the daughter of Tony and Ronda McGuinnis. She also lettered in soccer at Chaparral High School.
“I love the variety and the different options this class brings to the program,” Binford said. “We have increased our overall team speed. This group will help take our defense to another level. They all play an up-tempo style and bring championship mentalities to Montana State.”
Montana State finished the 2007-08 campaign with an overall mark of 18-13 and an 11-5 Big Sky Conference slate, advancing to the championship game of the BSC tournament.
The 2007-08 Montana State Women’s Basketball Recruiting Class:
Katie Bussey -- 5-9 -- G -- Fr -- Alamosa, CO/Alamosa HS
Janette Jackson -- 5-8 -- G -- So -- Denver, CO/Missouri State/Thomas Jefferson HS
Gianne Fleming -- 6-0 -- F -- Fr -- Phoenix, AZ/St. Mary’s HS
Alyssa McGuinnis -- 6-1 -- F -- Fr -- Parker, CO/Chapparal HS
Rachel Pauli -- 6-1 -- G -- Fr -- Big Timber, MT/Sweet Grass HS
Pronunciations:
Bussey -- BUS-ee
Gianne -- Gee-AHN-ee
McGuinnis -- Mc-GIN (as in fin)-is
Pauli -- Paul-EYE
Jackson, who prepped at Thomas Jefferson High School in Denver, originally signed with Missouri State of the Missouri Valley Conference. She played in 11 games for the Bears and averaged 6.5 minutes, this winter.
As a prepster, Jackson was a second-team all-state selection and led the Spartans to a conference title and a state playoff appearance. Playing four different positions, she averaged 16.8 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 4.6 steals per game. Jackson led Colorado Class 4A in steals, and ranked sixth in the entire state in assists. In addition, she ranked first in the state in rebounding.
“Janette will have to sit out her first year, but that will give her time to develop,” Binford said. “She will be one of the best athletes to ever play in our program.
“Janette possesses outstanding athleticism and is perfect for our style,” Binford added. “She is an excellent defender, and can rebound extremely well from the guard position. With a year of Division I experience, she’ll play a big role in the practice gym, and will really push our guards to become even better.”
She is the daughter of Jim and Janet Jackson. Her father Jim Jackson played football at the University of Colorado.
Fleming is a senior at St. Mary’s High School in Phoenix, Ariz. This winter, she averaged 15 points, 8 rebounds, two steals and two blocks per game, while shooting 65 percent from the field and 79 percent from the free throw line.
For her efforts, Fleming garnered honorable mention All-Desert Valley honors as the Knights posted an 18-9 overall mark and won the regular-season and Desert Valley Region tournament. She was also named team most inspirational the last two seasons, as well. Fleming, who lettered two years at St. Mary’s, played her sophomore and freshman years at Richland Northeast High School in Columbia, So., Carolina, where she was team MVP.
“Gianne is another versatile forward that will be an inside/outside threat,” Binford said. “She runs the floor very well, and along with current player Nubia Garcia, will be a tough match-up for opponents.
“Gianne can shoot the three-pointer very well,” Binford added. “She’s played in some different systems during her career and she’ll adapt well at MSU. Gianne comes from an outstanding high school program, and she’ll bring that experience to our program.”
She is the daughter of Mary Fleming and Jose Rameriez. Fleming is a native of Harlem, New York.
McGuinnis is a senior at Chapparal High School in Parker, Colorado. A two-time all-state selection and a three-time All-Continental League pick, she averaged 9.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.6 blocks per game. This season, she helped lead the Wolverines to a 22-5 overall mark and a Colorado 5A Final Four appearance.
During her tenure at Chaparral High School the team posted an overall mark of 68-29. McGuinnis set a CHS school single-season mark shooting 57 percent from the field. In addition, she also set the school mark with 140 blocked shots.
“Alyssa is another inside/outside player that has a good three-point touch,” Binford said. “She has great court vision and is a tremendous passer.
“She’ll fit in great with our spread motion,” Binford added. “We believe she has untapped potential, not too mention being an outstanding student.”
An all-state academic choice, she is the daughter of Tony and Ronda McGuinnis. She also lettered in soccer at Chaparral High School.
“I love the variety and the different options this class brings to the program,” Binford said. “We have increased our overall team speed. This group will help take our defense to another level. They all play an up-tempo style and bring championship mentalities to Montana State.”
Montana State finished the 2007-08 campaign with an overall mark of 18-13 and an 11-5 Big Sky Conference slate, advancing to the championship game of the BSC tournament.
The 2007-08 Montana State Women’s Basketball Recruiting Class:
Katie Bussey -- 5-9 -- G -- Fr -- Alamosa, CO/Alamosa HS
Janette Jackson -- 5-8 -- G -- So -- Denver, CO/Missouri State/Thomas Jefferson HS
Gianne Fleming -- 6-0 -- F -- Fr -- Phoenix, AZ/St. Mary’s HS
Alyssa McGuinnis -- 6-1 -- F -- Fr -- Parker, CO/Chapparal HS
Rachel Pauli -- 6-1 -- G -- Fr -- Big Timber, MT/Sweet Grass HS
Pronunciations:
Bussey -- BUS-ee
Gianne -- Gee-AHN-ee
McGuinnis -- Mc-GIN (as in fin)-is
Pauli -- Paul-EYE
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