The University of Akron Athletics
Women's Basketball Announces 2010-11 Signing Class
November 11 | Women's Basketball
University of Akron women's basketball head coach Jodi Kest announced the signings of Kacie Cassell, Sina King, Hanna Luburgh and Carly Young to National Letters of Intent Wednesday. All four in-state players will join the Zips for the 2010-11 season.
"It gives me great pleasure to welcome Kacie, Sina, Hanna and Carly to the University of Akron family," said Kest, who will officially begin her fourth season at UA Friday at Noon against IUPUI at Rhodes Arena. "We feel that as a whole, this recruiting class has the potential to be the best class we have assembled at Akron. Each individual possesses all the characteristics you would want in a basketball player. They are smart, athletic, hard working, have strong leadership skills and above all else, they are all proven winners.
"All four were heavily recruited, with offers from many rival schools, but chose The University of Akron because they believe in and are committed to our vision of becoming Mid-American Conference Champions. Zips fans should be very excited about these four student-athletes."
Cassell, a 5-4 point guard from Vandalia, Ohio, is the reigning Greater Western Ohio Conference Player of the Year and an All-Ohio Honorable Mention for Division I after averaging 12.7 points, 5.6 assists and 2.5 steals last winter. As an All-District First Team selection, Cassell led Vandalia Butler High School to a 20-4 record and a sectional championship in 2008-09. She has posted a 57-13 career mark as a prep athlete.
"Kacie is a very special Zip because she gave us the earliest verbal commitment we have received since I've been here," Kest said. "With the graduation of Ayla Guzzardo after the 2009-10 season, we knew we had to bring in a point guard who could compete right away. We feel that Kacie is one of the top point guards in the state. She has an unbelievable combination of high basketball IQ, great speed and terrific ball-handling skills. Theses characteristics, along with her fierce competitiveness, make her the quintessential point guard."
King, a 6-0 swing player from Waterford, Ohio, is a two-time Division IV All-Ohio First Team honoree and has already surpassed the 1,000-point mark for her career in just three years. King, a three-time district player of the year, averaged 18.9 points and 6.3 rebounds while leading Waterford High School to a 21-3 record and a district championship last winter. In three years, King has led her team to a record of 64-9 and three straight regional appearances.
"Sina is an extremely versatile player who can play both on the perimeter and in the post and score in a number of ways," Kest said. "She can shoot the three, has an excellent mid-range game and can also score with her back to the basket. As a senior class president, Sina is a leader and an extremely hard worker. She will have an immediate impact on our program."
Luburgh, a 5-10 guard from Nashport, Ohio, is a two-time Division I All-Ohio Third Team selection and her district's reigning player of the year. As a junior at Tri-Valley High School, she averaged 15.0 points and 7.1 rebounds and is a two-time, all-district first team honoree.
"Hanna is a great athlete who has one of the best pull-up jump shots I have ever seen," Kest said. "With the ability to create her own shot, Hanna will have the opportunity to contribute immediately. She is another hard worker and a very vocal player. We are ecstatic Hanna chose Akron."
Young, a 6-2 post player from Frazeysburg, Ohio and current teammate of Luburgh, will be joining the Zips after averaging 14.0 points and 6.7 rebounds last year as a Division I All-Ohio Honorable Mention honoree. She is also a two-time, all-district first team selection at Tri-Valley High School.
Young and Luburgh teamed up to lead Tri-Valley High School to a 23-1 record and a sectional championship last winter. In the past three seasons, Tri-Valley has posted a record of 56-12.
"Carly was the final piece to this great recruiting class and we could not be happier that she chose to be a Zip," Kest said. "At 6-2, she is a tremendous athlete and has great versatility in her game. Aside from using her quickness in the post, Carly can handle the ball on the perimeter and also step out and shoot the three. She is extremely active and long and will create great mismatches for opposing teams."
Cassell, King, Luburgh and Young will be joining an Akron squad that recorded its most successful season in nine years last winter. The Zips, who will tip off the regular season against the Jaguars Friday, are returning all five starters and eight letterwinners overall - including the MAC's reigning scoring leader Kara Murphy.
UA 2010-11
Signing Class
Kacie Cassell, G, 5-4, Vandalia, Ohio (Vandalia Butler High
School)
Sina King, G/F, 6-0, Waterford, Ohio (Waterford High School)
Hanna Luburgh, G, 5-10, Nashport, Ohio (Tri-Valley High School)
Carly Young, C, 6-2, Frazeysburg, Ohio (Tri-Valley High School)
