| 02-03 Signings
The following is a list of all signings for the 2002-2003 season
starting with the most recent signing.
Kline signs to join Lady Bulldogs
McPherson College has announced the signing of McPherson High graduate Ashley Kline to a women ’s basketball letter of intent. Kline was a key reserve her final two years at McPherson High, as the Lady Bullpups were defeated by eventual state champion Bishop Miege in the opening round of the 2002 state tournament.
“I am very excited to have Ashley joining our program,” said McPherson College head coach Mel Wright. “I’ve been interested in her since her sophomore year in high school as I watched her develop in our summer and fall leagues at McPherson College.
“She is a gifted athlete and we are extremely blessed to have her as a part of our program. She has fought through a series of injuries during her high school career and demonstrated courage and determination to hang in there.
“Ashley has been associated with one of the best high school programs in the nation under coaches Schaefer and Strathman, and as a result she has outstanding fundamentals. She is very strong, has good hands and feet, and runs the floor well. A team player! These attributes will make allow her to fit into our offensive and defensive schemes well.
“Ashley has a ‘feel’ for being in the right place at the right time, so we believe she will make a real contribution as a rebounder for us. We are expecting big things from Ashley and McPherson College. I’m sure her best basketball days are still ahead for her.”
Ashley is the daughter of Vicky Kline and Jeff Kline of McPherson. Ashley’s brother Chad was a member of the 2002 McPherson College men’s basketball team after transferring to McPherson from Emporia State University.
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Basketball/Volleyball Signing Announced
McPherson College has announced the recent signing of volleyball and basketball letters of intent by Angela Hagan of Hope, Kans. Angela is a 5’8” forward and hitter from Hope High School. A three-year letter winner in both volleyball and basketball at Hope High School, Hagan earned All-Dwight D. Eisenhower League honors in both sports. With 155 kills in her final season of volleyball and averaging 15 points per game in basketball as a senior, she was a key contributor to the Lions’ state tournament success in both sports. Following her senior season, Hagan was named to the all-area basketball team as well as third team all-state. In March, Angela participated in the Central Kansas All-Star basketball game hosted by McPherson College.
“We are very pleased to have Angela joining our program. She is another solid area recruit that has the potential to make an immediate contribution to our program as we work to move up the ladder in the KCAC,” said McPherson College volleyball coach Nathalea Stephenson. “Angela has the skills to bolster our front-line play,” said McPherson basketball coach Mel Wright. “We were pleased with her attitude and abilities when she was on campus for the All-Star game, and we believe she will fit in well with our team and campus community.”
The daughter of Gail and Sue Johnson of Hope, Kans., Angela plans to major in psychology in McPherson College.
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Basketball Signing Announced
Crystal Higgins of Lyons, Kans. and Neosho County Community College has recently signed a letter of intent to attend McPherson College and compete in basketball, cross-country, and track and field beginning in the fall of 2002. She plans to major in elementary education with a career goal of becoming a school counselor. A 2000 graduate of Lyons High School, Higgins competed in all three sports at Lyons before concentrating her efforts toward basketball at Neosho County. Following her senior year at Lyons High, Higgins was named honorable mention All-Mid-Central AA and she participated in the Central Kansas All-Star basketball game hosted by McPherson College. At Neosho County CC, she started at point guard during her sophomore season when she averaged 2.4 assists, 2 steals, and 2.6 points per game. In addition to being team captain her sophomore year at Neosho CCC, she served as a member of the student senate.
“I’m looking forward to attending school and playing at McPherson. It’s close to home and that important,” said Higgins. “Plus, I’ve know Coach Wright for a long time since I played basketball in the McPherson College fall league all the way through high school. After having seven coaches in the past eight years, I’m looking forward to knowing that I’ll have Coach Wright around for my final two years.”
“We’re looking forward to having Crystal with us the next two years. We had hoped to sign her when she graduated from Lyons, but we’re pleased to have she for her final two years of eligibility,” said McPherson women’s basketball coach Mel Wright. “Adding Crystal to our returning group of guards will definitely give us some depth and more competition at that position. Having started in the Jayhawk Conference, she’s used to playing against good competition. She has the ability to get the ball to the right person at the right time while playing under control.”
At Lyons High School, she qualified for the state cross-country meet three times, highlighted by her 15th place finish as a sophomore. Following that season, she competed in a cross-country meet in Great Britian as part of the World Sports Exchange. Higgins also qualified twice for the high school state track and field championships, once each at 800 and 1600 meters. In addition to running the middle distances as a prepster, she competing in the pole vault and 4x100 and 4x400 relays. At Neosho County CC, Higgins ran track only as a freshman, competing in the long hurdles and steeplechase.
“I’m looking forward to getting into cross-country and running for coach Dickkut. Our goal is to help build the women’s programs,” said Higgins.
“We are very please to have Crystal join our cross-country and track programs. While Crystal hasn’t run competitively for a couple of years, she will bring a level of maturity and a positive work ethic to our women’s programs that should help us move up in the KCAC. We like that she has worked some in the steeplechase since that will be a NAIA championship event next year,” said McPherson College head cross-country and track coach Erik Dickkut. “I have no doubt that Crystal will be a positive addition to our elementary ed program, plus, we like the fact she is another area student/athlete.”
Crystal is the daughter of Harold Higgins of Lyons, Kans., and Lesa Higgins of Norman, Okla.
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