Missouri Western women’s basketball coach Rob Edmisson announced the signing of eight student athletes to the National Letter of Intent for the 2013-2014 season. The Griffons welcome junior college transfers Alexis Gray of Buffalo, N.Y. (Erie CC), Kyrsten Crawford of Augusta, Kan. (Hutchinson CC), Tiara Hall of Paris, Texas (Connors State College), Ariana Novack of Chicago, Ill. (Malcolm X CC) and Friday Chuol of Des Moines, Iowa (Kirkwood CC) along with freshman Megan Rasmussen of Reeds Spring, Mo. (Reeds Spring HS), Tanner Tripp of Shawnee, Kan. (Mill Valley HS) and Stephanie Lichtenauer of Shawnee, Kan. (Mill Valley HS) to next year’s squad.
Gray, a 6-3, center from Buffalo, N.Y. transfers to Missouri Western from Erie Community College. She played her high school basketball at West Seneca East HS in Cheektowaga, N.Y. Last season at Erie CC Gray averaged 14.8 points per game and 8.9 rebounds per game. She was voted her squads MVP and was an All-Conference performer. Her son Zion has had the greatest impact on her athletic career and her greatest sports moment was scoring 48 points in a game in high school. She plans on majoring in biology at Missouri Western.
Crawford, a 6-0, guard from Augusta, Kan. transfers to Missouri Western from Hutchinson CC. She was born in St. Joseph, Mo. and moved to Augusta where she attended high school. Last season at Hutch she averaged 3.8 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. She made 76.2-percent of her free throws and 35-percent of her long range shots. She also shot 40.5-percent from the floor. She helped her team win back-to-back Jayhawk West Championships and NJCAA Region VI Championships. Hutchinson finished 3rd at the NJCAA National Tournament last season and second in 2011-2012. In high school she was an All-State and All-Conference performer. She is undecided on a major at MWSU.
Hall, a 6-1, forward from Paris, Texas transfers to Missouri Western from Connors State College which is located in Warner, Okla. She played her high school basketball at Paris High School under Coach TarShonda Ferguson. At Connor State she was a captain along with being named Second Team All-Conference. In high school she was a captain along with being named All-State and All-Conference and All-District Most Valuable Player. Hall plans on majoring in kinesiology at MWSU.
Novak, a 5-8, guard from Chicago, Ill. transfers to Missouri Western from Malcolm X College which is located in Chicago, Ill. She played her high school basketball at Provo East High School. She averaged 19.6 points and 6 rebounds per game at Macolm X College. Novak is a combination guard who handles in transition and is active in the passing lanes on defense. She is a good outside shooter who can play the 1 or 2 position. She plans on majoring in kinesiology at MWSU.
Chuol, a 6-3, post from Des Moines, Iowa transfers to Missouri Western from Kirkwood Community College which is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Chual runs the floor well and hits the offensive glass. She is a long player who will give the Griffons another low post threat. She is originally from Nairobi, Kenya and plans on majoring in pre-med at MWSU.
Rasmussen, a 6-3, post from Reeds Spring, Mo. comes to Missouri Western from Reeds Spring HS. During her high school career she averaged 9.4 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game and 0.8 blocks per game. She shot 43-percent from the field and 78-percent from the free throw line. She was a team captain as a senior and an Academic All-Conference performer for four years. She is a good student being a member of the National Honor Society and plans on majoring in biochemistry at Missouri Western.
Tripp, a 5-8, guard from Shawnee, Kan. comes to Missouri Western from Mill Valley HS. During her high school career she averaged 13.9 points per game and 2.7 steals per game while shooting 78-percent from the free throw line. She was a three time All-Kaw Valley League (KVL) player while helping her team to two KVL championships. She also helped her team to a second place finish at state in 2013 while being named third team All-State. She was also an honorable mention All-State performer as well as being selected to the Kansas-Missouri All-Star game. She is a solid student being a member of the National Honor Society. She is undecided on a major at MWSU.
Lichtenauer, a 5-10, forward from Shawnee, Kan. comes to MWSU from Mill Valley HS. While at Mill Valley her team only lost 10 games in the past three seasons. She averaged 11.5 points and 5.1 rebounds during her senior season. She helped her team to two Kaw Valley League (KVL) championships and helped her team to a second place finish at state in 2013. She was a two year team captain and was selected to play in the Kansas vs. Missouri All-Star game. She was also a first team All-State selection as well as a first team All-Area selection. As a junior she was the KC/US ARMY Player of the Month for January 2012 as well as being an All-State honorable mention selection. As a sophomore she was a first team All-KVL selection. She is undecided on what she is going to study at MWSU but she may go to be a counselor.
“We are excited about the addition of these young ladies,” commented Head Coach Rob Edmisson. “As a group we feel they will continue our programs progress in returning to a championship level. It’s our hope that they will help us build on the enthusiasm and interest the team created last year!”
— MWSU Sports Information —