Northwest Missouri State University women’s basketball head coach Michael Smith has announced four additions to the Bearcats’ 2015-16 roster. Macy Williams (Tabor, Iowa), Maria Dentlinger (Arcadia, Iowa), Ashley Nelson (LaVista, Neb.) and Elexis Martinez (Omaha, Neb.) have all committed to playing for the Bearcats.
“All four of these young ladies are exceptional people and are a great fit for Northwest both academically and athletically,” said Smith. “Coach (Buck) Scheel did a great job heading up our recruiting and evaluating of these student athletes and I can’t wait for them to arrive on campus next fall.”
Williams was a second team all-state performer for Fremont-Mills High School. She was a first team all-conference, all-district and all-regional performer while earning first team honors from the Omaha World Herald. Williams is averaging 19 points, 7.0 assists and is shooting 39 percent from beyond the arc. To date, she has scored over 1,200 points in her prep career.
“Macy brings all the tangibles to our program, her work ethic is second to none,” Smith said. “She will be able to play the 1 or 2 position for us with her ability to shoot the ball so well.”
Dentlinger was an all-conference and all-district forward for Kuemper Catholic High School. She was named a second-team performer by the Omaha World Herald. She has averaged 14 points, 6.0 rebounds and shot 37 percent from three point range in her career.
“Maria is our ideal stretch 4 position and a nightmare matchup for most coaches,” said Smith. “Her versatility will be big bonus for our system as she has the ability to post you up or knock down the three from the perimeter.”
Nelson earned all-state honorable mention accolades at Papillion LaVista High School. She has averaged 6.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals during her high school career. She will play her senior season at Fremont High School.
“The first thing that attracted me to Ashley was her toughness on the floor,” Smith commented. “As a coach you always look for that player that will do the little things and that is Ashley. She can play numerous positions on the floor and has a great basketball IQ.”
Martinez was an honorable mention all-state performer for Central High School. For her prep career, she has averaged 11.0 points and 5.0 rebounds.
“Martinez is a tremendous athlete with a big upside,” Smith said. “Her length will cause perimeter players problems and I can’t wait to get her in our system and watch her game elevate to the next level.”
— NWMSU Sports Information —