UAF WBB Team Adds Three More Recruits For Fall
FAIRBANKS, AK-The University of Alaska Fairbanks women's basketball team has signed its fourth, fifth and sixth recruits for next year. The Nanooks have now signed six players for next season, five during the spring signing period.
Mia Seagraves, a 5-3 guard from Cypress College, Lakewood and Artesia High Schools and Artesia, California,
Alice Stein, a 6-0 forward from Reedley College, Fresno Central High School and Fresno, California, and Alissa Brasel (BRAY-zel), a 6-1 forward from Edmonds Community College, Kamiakin High School and Pasco, Washington, have signed letters of intent to join the Nanooks for the 2005-06 season. All three student-athletes will enter UAF next fall as juniors, and will each have two years of eligibility.
Seagraves averaged 12.6 points, four assists, two steals and five rebounds per game as a sophomore at Cypress College, making 74 per cent of her free throws and shooting 35 per cent from three-point range. She started all 32 games for the Chargers. As a freshman, she ranked fourth on the team in scoring with 8.6 points per game and was second with three assists and 1.9 steals per contest. As a senior, she helped lead Artesia to the California Interscholastic Federation Division Class 3AA championship. She averaged 10 points and five assists per game and was an academic team award winner. She played her first high school seasons at Lakewood, where she was co-Most Valuable Player as a sophomore and a coaches' award winner as a sophomore and again as a junior.
"Mia comes from very successful high school and junior college programs, so she knows what it takes to win," said UAF Head Coach Lynne Andrew. "She creates scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates, which is exactly what I was looking for at this position. Mia's work ethic and aggressiveness on defense makes her a perfect fit in our program."
"I'm very excited, it's going to be a new experience," said Seagraves. "It was just beautiful. I fell in love with the area, the school is nice and everyone was really friendly, it made you feel like home." Seagraves plans to study Criminal Justice.
Stein averaged 18.2 points per game as a sophomore at Reedley, ranking among the top 15 players in the state and third in her league. She made 54.8 per cent of her shots from the field, ranking third in the league and in the top 10 in the state. Her 10.4 rebounds per game ranked her among the state's top 20 players, and her high mark was 31 points. She helped lead her team to a second place finish in her league, a 19-9 overall record, and the Elite Eight at the state championships. Stein was named All-Tournament at the San Mateo Tournament as her team won the title.
At Central HS, Stein became the all-time leading scorer with 1,200 points, and was named her team's Most Valuable Player, first team All-League, was chosen a second team All-Star by the Fresno Bee, and was selected for the Fresno City/County All-Star Game. She led her team in scoring and rebounding, and also played volleyball and was chosen first team All-League in softball.
"Alice reminds me of (former UAF senior star forward) Cody Burgess (Leavenworth, WA/Cascade HS/Wenatchee CC)," said Andrew. "As a six-foot post player, she does a great job of attacking the basket and creating shots for herself. Alice uses her strength to get good rebounding position and play physically on the defensive end."
"My coach at Reedley told me that the assistant coach from Alaska saw me play in the state championships, and we went from there," said Stein. "She said I reminded her of the player they were losing. I love basketball, I've always wanted to go out of state and travel, and I'm very excited to get the chance to play basketball and live in Alaska for two years." Stein plans to major in Physical Therapy.
Brasel averaged 20 points, 13 rebounds and two blocked shots per game as a sophomore at Edmonds CC, earning first team All-Conference honors. She was named second team All-Tournament at the Northwest Athletic Association of Community College Tournament, and was chosen Most Valuable Player at the NWAAC All-Star Game after scoring 21 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. Her team was 17-15 during her sophomore year, placing third in the NWAACC's Northern Division and eighth in the post-season NWAACC Tournament.
At Kamiakin (ka-MYE-a-kin) HS, Brasel led the Big Nine with 10 rebounds per game, and ranked in the top 10 by averaging 13 points per game. Named Most Valuable Player at the Media Classic All-Star Game, she also played volleyball.
"Alissa is a versatile post player who can score in a lot of different ways," said Andrew. "She loves to rebound, and has a great knack for blocking shots. Alissa's attitude and work ethic make her a great player to watch."
"When I came for my visit, it was my first time ever in Alaska, and it was a whole new experience," said Brasel. "I loved every aspect of my experience. The team and the school were great, and the weather was nice. I've lived in Washington my whole life, and I'm looking forward to coming to Alaska in three months." Brasel plans to study Family Life Education.
Seagraves, Stein and Brasel will join
Sheena Brown, a guard from Fairbanks, Alaska,
Lexie Black, a forward from Coupeville, Washington, and
Cristina Bruketta, a guard from Ellensburg, Washington, at UAF this fall.
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