May 22, 2009

SAN MARCOS - Texas State head coach Suzanne Fox announced today that during the spring signing period two student-athletes signed National Letters of Intent to attend Texas State in the fall of 2009. Stephanie Douthit, 5-9 guard from Scottsdale, Ariz. (Desert Mountain HS) and Ashley Shoemaker, 6-2 forward from Houston (Jersey Village HS). The duo officially join the previously announced incoming members of the Bobcat class, which include Anna Brzozowski, Diamond Ford, Alexa Hugee and Dawn Kiel, all of whom signed with Texas State during the early signing period.

Douthit, nationally recognized by ESPNRise.com as an All-Arizona 2nd Team selection, averaged 19.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game for Desert Mountain HS and Head Coach Doug Berry. The versatile perimeter threat also averaged 3.9 assists and 2.8 steals per contest and garnered both Arizona Republic and East Valley Tribune 5A 2nd Team All-State honors during her senior season.

"It was only in last few days of the signing period we were able to get Steph committed and we are very pleased," said Fox. "She was an exceptional scorer who wasn't necessarily flashy, but very efficient and excelled in the largest classification in Arizona. One of the things that attracted us to her is that she can has the shown the ability to have an impact by scoring but is also adept at doing the little things for her team to be successful."

After going through the recruiting process, the high scoring guard from suburban Phoenix felt the most comfortable with the Texas State coaching staff and the direction of the program, campus and the facilities.

"I chose Texas State because all of the coaches and basketball staff not only love basketball but they really do care about their player's success on and off the court as well," said Douthit. "Overall, Texas State was the perfect match for me and I am very excited to be attending the school next year."

Shoemaker, a skilled forward, averaged 11.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per contest while playing for Head Coach Anthony DeCarlo. The former Jersey Village standout also earned recognition as a 15-5A 1st Team All-District selection. Shoemaker is expected to add needed depth to a Bobcat frontline that is losing two senior post players in Kim Cessna and Brittany Wilson.

"It feels like all my hard work has paid off," Shoemaker said. "I can't wait to play at Texas State - It's going to be a really fun experience."

"What really sticks out about this incoming class is that you really can't tell which one has the most potential," said Fox. "Each of them in their own way are all playmakers, but what really stands out is they are team-first kids who are about winning. We really stressed that in the recruiting process. We focused on getting playmakers in this group that not only were skilled but also were `team' not `me-first' individuals. I think our fans will really enjoy watching them not only compete, but play the Texas State way. I really can't imagine any coach feeling better about her class than I do because of this group both the talent level and the quality of the character of each of these kids."

Below are capsules on the six signees:

Anna Brzozowski, (6-0 Guard-Forward, Harrah, Okla./Northern Oklahoma College-Enid) As a sophomore averaged 7.0ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.0spg...Lead the Jets to a 27-4 overall record...Played for Coach Scott Morris at Northern Oklahoma College

Fox on Brzozowski: "Anna is exciting because she has the capability to play multiple positions and plays with such a high level of intensity. She can play and guard either forward spots, is crafty around the basket and has a fairly consistent perimeter face-up game. She's very savvy defender, athletic and is very competitive."

Stephanie Douthit (5-9 Guard, Scottsdale, Ariz./Desert Mountain HS) As a senior averaged 19.8ppg, 6.0rpg, 3.9apg, 2.8spg...2nd Team Arizona Republic All-Area...Arizona Republic 5A 2nd Team All-State...ESPNRise.com All-Area Arizona 2nd Team...East Valley/Scottsdale Tribune 5A 2nd Team All-Area...Played for Coach Doug Berry at Desert Mountain HS

Fox on Douthit: "Steph has a lot of potential and has the ability to bring a lot to the table. She can play with and without the ball on the perimeter and play either guard spot for us. What sets her apart is she combines good vision and all-around skills that gives her a mature feel for the game for her age."

Diamond Ford (5-9, Guard, Missouri City/Hightower HS) As a senior averaged 17.2ppg, 4.0rpg, 4.3apg...TABC All-State...TABC All-Star Game selection...All-GHAGBC 2nd Team...GHAGBC All-Star Game Participant...All-District 1st Team 23-5A...District 23-5A Offensive MVP...Lead Hightower to a 32-7 record and a State Regional appearance...Coached by Deb Mize at Hightower HS

Fox on Ford: "Diamond is a guard that can both create for herself and her teammates. She has been an accomplished scorer in high school and has shown the skills to defend on the perimeter and both abilities should translate well in college as she continues to grow and develop on both the offensive and defensive end."

Alexa Hugee (6-1, Forward, Huxley, Iowa/Ballard HS) As a senior averaged 7.0ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.1apg...All-Conference 2nd Team...Academic All-Conference...Led Ballard to a 26-1 record and a IHSAA 3A State Championship...A standout athlete who also competed in track...Played for Merle Olberding at Ballard HS

Fox on Hugee: "Alexa has the chance to be an outstanding forward. She has good size, can rebound, score both around the basket and some facing up and has really sound hands. She's also a good fit in our running game, is a competitor and understands how to do the little things to help a team win."

Dawnielle Kiel (5-8, Guard, Houston/Cypress Creek HS) As a senior averaged 13.0ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.0apg, 3.0spg...All-Distr15-5A. 1st Team All District..All-Tournament selection in prestigious McDonalds Texas Invitational Tournament...MVP of Cypress Creek High School...Led the Cougars to a 17-15 record...A Bobcat "legacy" player as she is the sibling of former Texas State men's basketball player George Kiel III...Played for Coach Betty Maaskant at Cypress Creek HS

Fox on Kiel: "Dawn is a very good athlete with quick hands and good footwork. She was slowed by an ankle injury this year so her numbers were down, but showed toughness in still playing hurt. When healthy, she's going to be a quality offensive threat and a good defender."

Ashley Shoemaker (6-2, Forward, Houston/Jersey Village HS) As a senior averaged 11.1ppg, 6.6rpg...All-District 1st Team 15-5A...Lead her team in scoring and rebounding...Lead team to a 22-14 record...Played for Coach Anthony DeCarlo at Jersey Village HS

Fox on Shoemaker: "Ashley is skilled for her size and is a good fit for our up-tempo style of play. She was a kid who was challenged to get stronger during the summer and worked hard and did that for her senior year in high school. If she can continue to improve her strength and continue show a great work ethic, Ashley has a chance to come in and compete for time."