Gonzaga, Eastern, Idaho women land recruits

Gonzaga has signed a post player and a guard to letters of intent for the 2016-17 basketball season, women’s coach Lisa Fortier announced Monday.

“These two really fit the right needs for our program at this time,” Fortier said.

Grace Collett, a 6-foot-4 post from Greensborough, Australia, has played in multiple junior championships in the Melbourne area and has been on several training squads for Australia’s junior national teams.

Collett brings size along with the ability to move up the floor quickly. She has transitioned her game from a solid inside threat to a mobile post who can play at an elite level, Fortier said.

“Grace’s ability to run the floor really sets her apart from other post players,” Fortier said. “She is fast and physical, which fits perfectly with the way we play.”

Jesse Loera, a 5-foot-6 guard from Moses Lake, was the Columbia Basin Big Nine Player of the Year last season after averaging 16.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 4.6 steals.

Loera was the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 and 2014, along with Player of the Year on offense in 2014.

EWU bolsters frontcourt

Eastern Washington has signed four high school players to national letters of intent, coach Wendy Schuller announced.

“This group really covers a lot of bases for us,” Schuller said. “There’s a lot of athleticism in the group, and some really nice size. We’ve brought in a lot of scoring ability and players that are able to play a number of different positions for us.”

Kianna Baker, a 6-foot-4 post from Tulare, California, averaged 10.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.6 blocks for Tulare Union High School.

Amy Hartleroad, a 6-0 forward from Plano, Texas, has earned three varsity letters in basketball at Plano West High School, helping her team to a spot in the Texas 6A State tournament as a sophomore.

Uriah Howard, a 5-11 forward from Oakland collected first-team All-Diablo Foothill Athletic League honors as a junior. She led Miramonte High School to North Coast Section Division III titles as a sophomore and junior.

Symone Starks, a 5-5 guard, is a three-year letter winner in basketball at Highlands Ranch High School in Lone Tree, Colorado. She was the Continental League Player of the Year as a junior last season, scoring in double figures in 18 games while averaging 11.8 points per game.

Idaho signs three guards, post

Idaho has signed four players to letters of intent, coach Jon Newlee announced.

Daylee Hanson, a 5-11 guard from Edmonds, Washington, averaged 11.8 points and eight rebounds per game for King’s H.S. as a junior. She was a first-team all-tournament selection with seven points, six rebounds and three assists in the 1A State Championship, helping King’s to its first state title since 1997.

Cherita Daugherty, a 5-8 guard from Prairie High in Vancouver, Washington, averaged 13.4 points, eight rebounds, 7.6 assists, 2.6 steals and 1.4 blocks. She was an All-State honorable mention by the Associated Press.

Jenae Lewallen, a 5-8 guard, has started for three years at Liberty High in Surprise, Arizona. Last season she averaged 11.3 points and 1.8 assists.

Isabelle Hadden, a 6-4 post at Boise High, shot 51 percent from the field last year while averaging 14.2 points and 6.7 rebounds and was a first-team all-conferece pick.