Charise Holloway
Lynee Belton gives Duke another piece to bolster its frontcourt. *Photo by Ty Freeman.
The surge of pre-official visit commitments continued into the second full week of August with programs on both coasts scoring potential impact players.
Duke Adds Belton
Just a couple of days after adding class of 2014 wing Sierra Calhoun to their family, Duke picked up another addition when 6-foot-2 forward Lynee Belton of Upper Marlboro, Md., decided to end her recruitment and make a pledge to the ACC school. The Belton addition to Dukes 2014 class gives it four verbal commitments as she joins the aforementioned Calhoun, Azura Stevens of Raleigh, N.C., and Erin Mathias of Pittsburgh, Pa. Similar to what they did with last years recruiting class, with this 2014 group Duke is adding a wealth of size to build up its frontcourt depth. When this 2014 group arrives for their freshman season, Duke will have six top 50 caliber forwards or posts on campus with two more prospects, Mathis and, next years redshirt freshman, Katie Heckman being highly regarded four-star prospects in their own right. One thing is for sure; size and depth wont be an issue for the ACC program.
Arizona Adds Fourth Piece
'14 ELITE 100 guard Charise Holloway.
*Photo by Chris Hansen.
Charise Holloway of Tracy, Calif., committed to the Arizona Wildcats last week. The 5-9 power guard is coming off a terrific summer with her JBS club team, where she showed her physical style on both ends of the court. Holloway, a four-star prospect on the ELITE 150 Watch List, is the fourth prospect in Arizonas class. She joins a pair of ELITE 100 players Taryn Griffey, a 5-6 point guard from Windermere, Fla., and JaLea Bennett, a 5-11 wing from Grand Prairie, Texas and three star combo-guard Cherice Harris of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. This class is a huge boost for a Wildcat program looking to make a move up the Pac-12 standings. Head coach Niya Butts has one more scholarship at her disposal in the 2014 class if she chooses to use it.
Belmont Scores Jones
When new coach Cameron Neubauer took the helm at Belmont, he set his sights on scoring one four-star caliber recruit for the class of 2014. With only one scholarship to offer for the class, Neubauer and his staff wanted to secure an impact type of player who could come in and help elevate the program. This week they were able to just that when they secured a verbal pledge from Sierra Jones of Huntsville, Ala. Jones, a 5-9 combo guard who had interest from several ACC and SEC programs, is exactly the impact prospect that Belmont wanted to add this summer.
AROUND THE RIM
3-Star Fay to Qunnipiac: A 5-foot-10 shooter, Jennifer Fay of Manhattan, N.Y., will be a nice addition to MAAC school, Quinnipiac. Fay has range beyond the 3-point line but can do more than just knockdown the open jumper. Her ability to guard multiple positions and rebound the ball fairly well for a wing-forward will be welcomed additions to the program as well.
3-Star Hamilton to Alabama:Oceana Hamilton is a 2013 addition for the SEC school. The 6-foot-3 post will be in uniform to play this fall and should help new coach Kristy Curry and staff bolster the depth across their frontline.
4-Star Logan to East Carolina: Class of 2015 forward Dajah Logan of Randallstown, Md., is a very good pick up for East Carolina, the Conference USA soon to be Big East program. Logan is a good athlete with the ability to continue to round out her skills and play multiple positions at the next level. She is exactly the kind of prospect they should look to land more of as they prepare to transition conferences.
Lee to Old Dominion: Old Dominion picks up an athletic forward with the addition of 6-2 Maia Lee of McLean, Va. Lees ability to play around the rim on either side of the ball should add a shotblocking presence to their frontline while also giving them a potential low post scorer on the offensive side of the ball.
Raysor to Rhode Island: Class of 2014 post Tyler Raysor of Trenton, N.J., gave a verbal pledge to Rhode Island this week. Raysors addition to the Atlantic 10 program gives them a true post presence around the rim. Raysor has continuously improved her game over the past four years as a prep player and should be able to contribute early.
