TicketsNov. 9, 2006
CINNCINATI - Tenisha Benson (Akron, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban), Asia Jenkins (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway) and Caitlin Pauley (Chicago Heights, Ill./Marian Catholic) signed National Letters of Intent on Wednesday during the early signing period, committing to play for the Bearcats women's basketball team beginning in the 2007-08 season.
"Tenisha, Asia and Caitlin are total-package kids," said University of Cincinnati head coach Laurie Pirtle. "All three young ladies come from wonderful families and will undoubtedly impact our academic, athletic and campus communities from day one.
"The 2007 class is crucial to our climb up the BIG EAST ladder," added Pirtle. "The signing of these three accomplished these things: We wanted to bring in three future captains. We needed to bring in three versatile kids that can score in multiple ways and defend multiple spots. We needed a group that has the maturity to impact UC and the BIG EAST right away."
Benson, a 5-foot-9 point guard/shooting guard, is the top-rated perimeter player in the state by Ohio Girls Basketball Report. An adidas All-American and all-state selection, Benson is on pace to be the all-time leading scorer and rebounder at Hoban High School. She averaged 16 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists a game as a junior. She is a candidate for Ms. Ohio Basketball.
"Tenisha is that rare lead guard lead guard that can operate as a playmaker and a scorer," said Pirtle. "She has a basketball IQ that is off the charts and will add to our tenacity on the defensive end of the court because she can guard so many spots."
A 5-foot-11 guard, Jenkins was rated the No. 1 overall player in the latest edition of the National Recruiting Report. She averaged 15.7 points and 2.4 assists at Piscataway High School as a junior, earning all-state honors. She was the 2005-06 Middlesex County Player of the Year and is a candidate for this year's Ms. New Jersey Basketball.
"Asia is a big, strong, athletic scorer. She possesses an exceptional three-phase offensive game - she can hit the 3-pointer, operate in the mid-range and post you," said Pirtle. "Very few kids exit college with that complete of an offensive game, let alone high school."
Pauley, a 6-foot-3 left-handed post, is captain of her Marian Catholic High School team that is ranked No. 1 in preseason polls. Pauley, averaging 15 points and eight rebounds a game her junior year, was invited to the adidas All-American Camp. She is rated one of the top 20 front court players in the nation by Dan Olson Collegiate Girls Basketball Report.
"Caitlin provides us with much needed size and athleticism in the front court," said Pirtle. "She has old school moves on the low block and a new wave offensive game on the perimeter - she can shoot the three and create off the dribble."