| 06-07 Signings
The following is a list of signings for the 2006-2007 season
starting with the most recent signing.
Bird's
inks with Lady Bulldog basketball
McPherson College has announced
the recent signing of Michaela Bird of Quinter, Kan., to a basketball
letter of intent for the 2006-2007 school year.
Michaela
Bird is joined by McPherson College head coach J.D. Gravina as she
signs her letter of intent with the Lady Bulldogs.
The 5'4” Bird was a 3-year
letter winner in basketball for coach Willie Schaffer at Quinter
High School, and an Northwest Kansas League All-Academic selection.
Bird also lettered two years
in volleyball and one year in track for Bulldogs.
“I am excited to add Michaela
to or list of incoming players,” said McPherson College head women's
basketball coach, J.D. Gravina.
“She will be joining a couple
of other girls from Quinter on our squad, Amy Porter and Callie
Coberly. The other girls (from Quinter) have shown a strong commitment
to the program and have great attitudes. I expect the same will
be true of Michaela.”
Michaela is the daughter
of Scott and Sheryl Bird of Quinter, Kan. Michaela plans to major
in biochemistry.
*****
Bratcher
returns to Mac basketball
McPherson College has announced
the recent signing of Becky Bratcher of Miami, Fla., and Miami Dade
College to a basketball letter of intent for the 2006-2007 school
year.
The 6'1” Bratcher averaged
10 points and 10 rebounds last season for Miami Dade College which
was 21-7 overall and undefeated champions (12-0) of the Southern
Conference under coach Susan Summons.
Joining
Becky Bratcher for her letter of intent signing with the Lady Bulldogs
were (front) J.D. Gravina, McPherson College head women's coach,
and Gad Jacobs, friend.
“We are extremely excited
to have Becky back at McPherson College, ” said McPherson College
head women's basketball coach J.D. Gravina. “She was an important
contributor to the team as a freshman, and with added maturity and
improvement, she should be a force in the conference.”
“Becky has the ability to
post up strong or step out and shoot the three. She is also one
of the best passers from the post spot I have ever coached.”
“Becky will bring a competitive
attitude to the team which should help push the others to improve
their game.”
As a freshman at McPherson
College , Becky averaged 7.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists,
and just under one blocked shot per game for the Lady Bulldogs under
coach Mel Wright. One to step up to the level of her competition,
she had season high's of 19 points versus Southwestern College and
12 rebounds at Fort Hays State.
Bratcher was an All-Dade
County first team selection her junior and senior seasons at Miami
's Hialeah High School for coach Denoff Johnson. Following her senior
season when she averaged a double-double, 12 points and 12 rebounds,
for Hialeah HS as it went 25-4 and reached the regional finals,
Becky was named the MVP of the Dade County All-Star game.
Becky is the daughter of
Sheryl Bratcher of Miami , Fla. Bratcher will major in physical
education.
Bratcher's brother, Joshua,
played football at Ferrum College in Ferrum , Va. , an NCAA III
school.
*****
Sims
signs with Mac basketball
McPherson College has announced
the recent signing of Jamie Sims of McPherson, Kan., to a basketball
letter of intent for the 2006-2007 school year.
The 5'6” Sims was named to
the 2005 All-Ark Valley Chisholm Trail D-I first team and honorable
mention all-state her senior season as the Lady Bullpups swept to
an undefeated Class 5A state title. She capped her high school career
by leading the Bullpups in scoring in the state championship title
contest.
Joining
Jamie for the signing of her letter of intent with the Lady Bulldogs
were (front) her mother Glenda Sims along with (back, left) Shelly
Prescott (McPherson College assistant coach), J.D. Gravina (McPherson
College head women's coach), and Jamie's father Kenneth Sims.
A four-year varsity letter
winner at McPherson HS, Sims averaged 10 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
and 3 steals a game her senior season.
Jamie has been inducted into
the McPherson High Wall of Fame as a member of a state championship
4x100 relay.
Jamie spent the 2005-2006
academic year at Kansas State University .
“We are so pleased that Jamie
has decided to return to her hometown and play basketball from McPherson
College,” said McPherson College head women's basketball coach J.D.
Gravina. “The community is excited to watch her back in action.”
“Jamie is a girl that knows
how to play the game, and can get after it on the defensive end.
She was well coached by coaches (Scott) Schaefer and (Chris) Strathman.”
“She has the ability to score
and set others up to score, which makes her valuable at either the
point guard or shooting guard position.”
“We have been working hard
to strengthen the relationship with the McPherson High program and
the community, and Jamie, along with the support of her friends
and family, will be a catalyst in that process.”
Jamie is the daughter of
Kenneth and Glenda Sims of McPherson , Kan.
A McPherson College “Legacy
Student”, Jamie will be following the education path of her mother
who graduated from McPherson College in 1983. Jamie plans to major
in elementary education at McPherson College.
Pictured are (front) mother
Glenda and Jamie along with (back, left) McPherson College assistant
coach Shelley Prescott, McPherson College head coach J.D. Gravina,
and father Kenneth Sims.
*****
Plowman
commits to Mac basketball
McPherson College has announced
the recent signing of Taylor Plowman of Overland Park, Kan., and
Blue Valley North High School to a basketball letter of intent for
the 2006-2007 school year.
The 5'7” Plowman was part
of Blue Valley North's 2005 Class 6A state championship and 2006
third place state tournament teams under coach Ann Fritz.
Joining
Taylor Plowman for her letter of intent signing were (front) Taylor
and McPherson College head women's basketball coach J.D. Gravina
along with (back, left) her sister Whitney Plowman, mother Jeanne
Plowman, AAU coach Calvin Thompson, and father Don Plowman.
Plowman participated in
the Central Kansas All-Star Game hosted by McPherson College and
the Salina Area Basketball Coaches All-Star Game following her senior
season.
Taylor is the recipient of
the Dave Leathers/blue Valley Educational Foundation basketball
scholarship as well as a vocal music scholarship to McPherson College.
“I had the advantage of watching
Taylor play over the summer,” said McPherson College head women's
basketball coach, J.D. Gravina, “and was really impressed with her.
She handles the ball well, shoots the three, and can get after it
on defense.”
“Taylor didn't make this
decision on a whim. She came to campus several times, looked at
every factor, and made a decision to attend to McPherson College
. Her family was very supportive throughout the process.”
“Taylor was a standout on
her AAU team, coached by former KU player Calvin Thompson. Coach
Thompson was instrumental in Taylor 's recruitment and was a big
part of her development through his HOOPSERVICE basketball program.”
“There is no doubt in my
mind that Taylor will be an asset to McPherson College and our basketball
family.”
Taylor is the daughter of
Don and Jeanne Plowman of Overland Park , Kan.
*****
Payne
signs with Mac basketball
McPherson College has announced
the recent signing of Brandi Payne of Eureka, Ill., and Black Hawk
East Junior College in Kewanee, Ill., to a basketball letter of
intent for the 2006-2007 school year.
The 5'10” Payne was a three-year
all-conference selection while attending Eureka High School where
she averaged 8.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.
During Payne's two seasons
at Black Hawk East she was named to the All-Region honorable mention
squad and selected the NJCAA “Player of the Week”.
“Brandi comes to McPherson
College with a wealth of knowledge about the game,” said McPherson
College head women's basketball coach, J.D. Gravina. “Her ability
to use that understanding will allow Brandi to have a big impact
on our team.”
“Brandi has been coaching
the junior varsity girls' basketball team in Eureka for the past
year. There are certain things about basketball you can only understand
from a coaching perspective, and Brandi understands those things.”
“Brandi will be a great addition
to our front court. She is extremely strong, moves well, and is
a great passer.”
“She should add some post
scoring, and help fill the rebounding void caused by the graduation
of Ashley Kline and April Bryley.”
Brandi is the daughter of
Hal and Rhonda Payne of Eureka , Ill. She plans to major in agricultural
science at McPherson College.
*****
Sharp
inks with Mac basketball
McPherson College has announced
the recent signing of Carley Sharp of Chanute, Kan., to a basketball
letter of intent for the 2006-2007 school year.
The 6'1” Sharp averaged 8.2
points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3 steals per game as a senior for Chanute
High School . She was selected to the Burlington Pre-Season All-Tournament
and ElDorado Lady Cat Classic All-Tournament teams.
Carley
Sharp is joined for her letter of intent signing by (front, left)
Tim Vietti, Chanute HS girls' basketball coach, and J.D. Gravina,
McPherson College head women's basketball coach, along with (back,
left) her mother Elizabeth Sharp, Bill Woodard, Chanute HS assistant
coach, and her father Gerald Sharp.
Sharp scored five points
as part of the winning Red team in the recent Central Kansas All-Star
game hosted by McPherson College.
“Carley was actually the
very first girl I started recruiting when I was hired last summer,”
added McPherson College head women's basketball coach, J.D. Gravina.
“She has the potential to become a great KCAC player.”
“Her 6'1” frame will allow
her to be on the same level with most post players in our conference.
When you combine that frame with her speed, strength, and jumping
ability, she could be dangerous.”
“I believe as she develops
her skills around the basket and improves her touch from the outside,
she will contribute at the varsity level.”
“Carley was well coached
by Tim Vietti at Chanute High School . He was instrumental in her
development as a player as well as her recruitment to McPherson
College.”
An all-around athlete, Sharp
lettered in volleyball, basketball, and track at Chanute HS.
“Carley's family was very
supportive throughout her high school career and the recruiting
process.”
“I believe personality is
very important when recruiting a student-athlete, and Carley shines
in that aspect. She is a strong student and a very caring young
lady. She will fit in with our team well.”
Carley is the daughter of
Gerald and Elizabeth Sharp of Chanute , Kan. She plans to major
in business at McPherson College .
*****
Ozbun
signs with Mac basketball & softball
McPherson College has announced
the recent signing of Kristen Ozbun of Rose Hill, Kan., to basketball
and softball letters of intent for the 2006-2007 school year.
Kristen
Ozbun is joining for her letter of intent signing by P(front,
left) father Brad Ozbun, Kristen, mother Loretta Ozbun, and Jenny
Page, Rose Hill head girls basketball coach, along with (back, left)
Kathy Santo, Rose Hill head softball coach, Mike McCormick, McPherson
College head coach, and J.D. Gravina, McPherson College head women's
basketball coach.]
The 5'5” Ozbun averaged
12.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists as a senior for Rose
Hill High School . Following her senior season she was named the
Ark Valley Chisholm Trail – Div 3 “Most Valuable Player” and to
the All-AVCTL-III first team.
In softball, Ozbun was named
to the All-Chisholm Trail Div. 1 first team as a sophomore, and
honorable mention All-AVCTL-III as a junior when she hit for a .308
average.
“We are really excited to
have Kristen as our first signee for the 2006-2007 recruiting class,”
added McPherson College head women's basketball coach, J.D. Gravina.
“Everything felt right with Kristen. She is a great athlete,
a great student, and a great person. I enjoyed moving through
the recruiting process with her and her family.
“Kristen is the lone senior
on her basketball team at Rose Hill, and she is the heart and soul
of a very successful, state-ranked squad. Coach Page has done
a great job with the team as well as helping Kristen develop as
a player.
“I am hopeful that Kristen
will step in and contribute even as early as her freshman year.”
“ Kristen is an outstanding
athlete ,” said McPherson head coach Mike McCormick. “ She can play
the outfield and short stop, and bats from both sides.
“Kristen will bring good
speed and good work habits to our team.
“She has played for a solid
high school program and some outstanding summer teams.
“We are very pleased to have
her join the Lady Bulldogs. I believe she will be an outstanding
player for us the next four years.
Kristen is the daughter of
Brad and Loretta Ozbun of Rose Hill, Kan. She plans to major in
education at McPherson College .
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