TicketsNov. 16, 2005
CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The University of Cincinnati's women's basketball team signed three Ohio high school seniors to national letters of intent during the early November signing period.
All three signees come from successful high school programs and are listed among the top 25 seniors in Ohio by Ohio Girls Basketball Report.
"I think this is a very, very strong class again," said head coach Laurie Pirtle. "It is a credit to (recruiting coordinator) Bret McCormick and our ability to sell being in the BIG EAST and our facilities in Varsity Village. All three players are hard-nosed, hard-working, talented players."
At the top of the class is 5-8 guard Carla Jacobs out of Regina High School near Cleveland. Despite missing her sophomore year with a torn ACL, the Shaker Heights native was listed as the fourth-best point guard in the nation by All-Star Girls Report. Last year she averaged 18.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.4 steals per game and led Regina to its fifth Division III state title in the last six years. Jacobs was a first team all-state selection and a finalist for Ms. Basketball in Ohio.
Stephanie Stevens (Pickerington, Ohio) out of Pickerington Central High School is a 5-7 guard who has earned all-district honors three times. Last season she was named first team all-county and all-conference after averaging 14.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game and leading Pickerington Central to a third sectional championship during her career. Stevens has also been a part of five state champion AAU teams.
Natasha Graboski (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) is a 6-3 center from Upper Sandusky High School, who has twice been named all-district in Division II. Last year she carded averages of 14.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game to earn first team all-league honors.
"We got two phenomenal backcourt players to help offset the graduation of Micah (Harvey) and Natasha will help us in the middle with the loss of Anne (Stephens)," added Pirtle.
This is the Bearcats' second recruiting class since UC's move to the BIG EAST was announced and builds on last year's Top 10 class. UC has one scholarship still available to give for the 2006-07 season. The 2005-06 season gets underway on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 3 p.m. when the Bearcats host St. Francis (Pa.) at Fifth Third Arena.