Montana State Women’s Basketball Squad Inks Five Freshmen
11/12/2010 4:17:02 PM | Women's Basketball
Montana State sixth year head coach Tricia Binford has announced the signing of five freshmen to National Letters of Intent.
Montana State sixth year head coach Tricia Binford has announced the signing of five freshmen to National Letters of Intent.
The three standouts from Montana and two from California will be eligible to play for the Bobcats during the 2011-12 season.
Signing with Montana State are Symone Brown, Paramount, Calif., Kayla DeWit, Columbia Falls, Kalli Durham, Miles City, Jackie Elliott, Billings, and Destini French, Playa del Rey, Calif.
Brown, a 5-9 guard who preps at Richard Gahr High School, averaged 18.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, last winter. A four-year letterwinner, Brown was a San Gabriel Valley First-Team selection and a Cerritos Community News Player of the Year. As a sophomore, she chipped in 15.5 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.
“Symone is a strong, explosive player,” Binford said. “She has a very physical presence and can hit the three-pointer, put the ball on the floor and rebound. She has a big up-side and is an outstanding student.”
DeWit, a 6-0 forward who preps at Columbia Fall High School, is a two-time all-state and all-conference selection for the Wildkats. A two-time team MVP, DeWit averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds as a junior. As a sophomore, DeWit poured in 14 points and pulled down 10 rebounds per outing, en route to being named team MVP. An outstanding athlete, she also lettered in volleyball and track.
“Kayla is tough, gritty and strong,” Binford said. “She runs the floor and has a good touch around the basket. She is good with her back to the basket and will help give us much needed depth at the position.”
Durham, a 5-7 guard who preps at Custer County High School, continues a long line of Durhams to wear the Blue and Gold. Durham's grandfather (Lin), uncle (Mick) and cousin (Casey) all played for the Bobcat men's team. Mick Durham served as the men's head coach at MSU for 16 years, while father Mark is the current athletic director and former head coach at UM-Western.
Last season, Durham averaged 18.1 points per game, which was the second most all-time and the highest total ever produced by a junior. A two-time all-state selection, she averaged 17 points as a sophomore. During her tenure with the Cowgirls, Custer County has posted a 53-16 overall mark.
An outstanding student, she will graduate summa cum laude in May.
“Kalli is Blue and Gold throughout,” Binford said. “She is a prolific scorer, who can put it in from the outside as well as take it to the basket. We really like her tenacity and craftiness.”
Elliott, a 6-0 forward who preps at Billings Central, is a 12-time all-state academic honoree. Last winter, she averaged 16.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 2.0 steals per game as the Rams captured the Montana Class A state title under the direction of head coach Jeff Malby.
An all-state and all-state tournament pick, Elliott is a three-year letterwinner who posted a season-high 32 points in the state tournament against Columbia Falls. An outstanding athlete, she led her high school soccer team to four straight Class A state titles and was a four-time medalist at the state track and field meet.
“Jackie is a tall, athletic guard-forward combo,” Binford said. “She has a great instinct for the game and is an outstanding fit with our up-tempo style of basketball. She is a winner both on and off the court and comes from an outstanding athletic program at Billings Central.”
French, a 6-2 center who preps at St. Bernard High School, will give the Bobcats size and depth in the middle. Last winter, she averaged 15.5 points and 18.8 rebounds to garner all CIF honors for the Vikings. A four-year letterwinner and all-area pick, French is a four-time honor roll recipient.
“Destini is a big presence that moves extremely well,” Binford said. “She is vocal, energetic and an outstanding rebounder. Destini is a game changer and she can own the paint.”
With the class, Binford has wrapped up the 2011-12 recruiting cycle.
“This is one of the most competitive classes we've had,” Binford said. “They are great, both athletically and academically. They all fit nicely into our program.”
2010-11 Montana State Recruiting Class
Symone Brown G 5-9 Fr Paramount, CA/Gahr HS
Kayla DeWit F 6-0 Fr Columbia Falls, MT/Columbia Falls HS
Kalli Durham G 5-7 Fr Miles City, MT/Custer County HS
Jackie Elliott F 6-0 Fr Billings, MT/Billings Central HS
Destini French C 6-2 Fr Playa del Rey, CA/St. Bernard HS
