Women's Basketball Signs Four Players For 2002-03
11/14/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 14, 2001
SPOKANE, Wash. - Gonzaga University's second-year women's basketball head coach Kelly Graves signed four new players for the 2002-03 season Wednesday during the first day of the early letter-of-intent signing period.
Ashley Anderson, Anne Bailey, Katie Prichard and Monica Uhrig all signed letters of intent to wear Bulldog blue next winter.
Anderson, a 6-1 power forward from Enterprise, Ore., is an All-State selection who led Enterprise High to a second place State 2A finish last season. The Oregon native averaged 14 ppg and 11 rpg. Anderson has helped Enterprise to three consecutive Wapiti League championships.
"Ashley is an unbelievable athlete who has the ability to be a special player in the West Coast Conference. She is strong, can run the floor, is a great leaper, and is one of the best rebounders I've seen in high school," said Graves.
Bailey, a 6-0 forward from Snohomish, Wash., helped lead Snohomish High to consecutive State 4A Tournament appearances including a third place finish in 2000. Bailey averaged 8 ppg and 7 rpg while earning 2001 All-WESCO honors.
"Perhaps no player has improved more than Anne in the past year. She was possibly the most highly recruited player in the state of Washington," said Graves.
Prichard, a 5-10 guard from Elk, Wash., has twice been named first team All-Great Northern League. The Riverside High product averaged 17 ppg, 7 rpg and 5 apg. Prichard starred for the Spokane Stars AAU club last summer. Prichard, a two-sport letterwinner, has also won five state track championships.
"Katie is a pure athlete with a great sense of the game. There is no doubt that she will be the fastest player in the program," said Graves. "She's long and wiry with the potential to be an excellent defender and open court player."
Uhrig, a 6-3 center from Shoshone, Idaho, was named first team 2001 All-State and Magic Valley League MVP. The Shoshone High product led the team to a fourth place state finish averaging 18 ppg, 11 rpg and 5 blocks per game. Uhrig has amassed over 300 career blocked shots. The two-sport athlete was also honored as the 2000 4A Idaho State Volleyball Player of the Year.
"Monica is one of the top post players in the entire west. She is a tremendous athlete. She can really fly up the court and is a great defensive presence," said Graves.
"I am really excited about this group of signees, both as basketball players and as quality people," said Graves about the new freshmen class. "Add this group to our six current freshmen and these are the best back-to-back classes I've ever had."
Gonzaga opens the regular season Friday at the American Dream Classic in Pocatello, Idaho, against New Mexico State University at 4 p.m. PST. The Bulldogs play their home opener one week from Saturday against University of the Pacific at the Kennel at 7 p.m.
