Women's Basketball Signs Two for 2006-07
May 10, 2006 LONG BEACH, CA -- Long Beach State women's basketball head coach, Mary Hegarty, announced that two players, Courtney Jacob and Tyresha Calhoun have both signed National Letters-of-Intent to enroll at Long Beach State for the 2006-07 season.
"Courtney is a tremendous athlete who uses her length extremely well both offensively and defensively," said Hegarty. "She's just scratched the surface of her basketball potential."
Jacob (Naples, FL) was selected as the 2006 Naples Daily News Girls Basketball Player of the Year, after averaging 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.1 steals, and 3.6 assists per game last season for Barron Collier High School. The 5-11 guard was a first-team All-State selection and earned All-Area and All-County Player of the Year accolades as well. Jacob led the Cougars to its first Florida Class 5A State Championship last season and was named the Tournament's MVP. Barron Collier finished with a No. 13 ranking in the final CNN/Sports Illustrated High School Girls Basketball Power Rankings. Jacob earned multiple all-state, all-county, and all-tournament honors as well during her freshman through junior seasons. Off the court, Jacob was the recipient of the 2006 Winged Foot Award (top female student-athlete in the state of Florida).
Calhoun (Riverside, CA) will have two years of eligibility (junior status) at Long Beach State after transferring from Riverside Community College.
"Tyresha is the floor general that has the ability to control tempo and pressure the ball the way I like," commented Hegarty.
The 5-6 guard earned third-team All-State and first-team All-Orange Empire honors last season, after averaging 13.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.5 steals, and 5.4 assists per game. Her father, Ricky, played in the NFL for several teams, including a stint as running back for the Los Angeles Raiders in 1987.
Both Jacob and Calhoun join the five student-athletes (Lauren Bagley, Lindsey Beckner, Nondi Johnson, Lauren Sims, and Ally Wade) signed in the early period last fall, as well as four walk-ons that Hegarty expects to bring in.
"In 13 years of head coaching, I've never been more excited about coaching a group of student-athletes," said Hegarty.
"All of these young women place basketball and school at the top of their priorities. They have the desire, work ethic, and attitude necessary to be the best they can possibly be, and they want to play for something bigger than themselves. They all understand how important being truthful is and they will all contribute to the culture of respect and trust that we value at Long Beach State."
The 49ers went 18-10 last season and were the Co-Big West Conference Champions. |
