Daugherty relishes recruits
Washington State searched high and low and coast to coast in an effort to improve the women’s basketball program.
The inaugural recruiting class for first-year coach June Daugherty is big and beautiful in the eyes of Daugherty.
“It’s really exciting,” Daughtery said Wednesday, the first day of the early letter of intent signing. “What a great day for Washington State University’s women’s basketball and the entire university. My staff and my team have really done a great job sharing the enthusiasm and vision for a championship era in women’s basketball.”
The Cougars signed seven new players, including 6-foot-8 post Jessica Oestreicher, 6-1 forward Lexie Pettersen out of Shadle Park, and Katie Grad, a 5-8 guard from Washington State 3A champion Auburn Riverside, who epitomizes what the class is all about.
“You have to understand, Katie Grad committed two years ago with the previous coaching staff,” Daugherty said. “She fell in love with being a Cougar. … That signaled to others something is going on in the Palouse.
“Lexie is a strong, athletic forward with toughness in her game. Her ability to play numerous positions will make her a valuable threat on the court in several ways.”
In addition to Pettersen, there was one other signing from the Greater Spokane League. Brittany Kennedy of Lewis and Clark is headed to Oregon State.
“Brittany is a defensive stopper,” Beavers coach LaVonda Wagner said. “Her speed and quickness will allow her to disrupt the other team’s offense. … She is a great leader and a pass-first, shoot-second point guard.”
Gonzaga, Eastern Washington and Idaho expect to add nine players among them before the early signing period ends next week.
GU’s Bulldogs went with size, getting 6-2 players Kayla Standish of Ellensburg and Shannon Reader from Lake Oswego, Ore.
“I think, hands down, Kayla is the best basketball player as well as the best athlete in the state of Washington this year,” said GU coach Kelly Graves.
Idaho’s Vandals signed a pair of wings out of California, 6-foot Jessica Graham from Modesto and 5-11 Kimberly Crandell from Palo Cedro, and expect to add another later in the week.
EWU’s Eagles are expected to add four players during the week-long signing period.
Daugherty turned to former and current WSU men’s coaches, Dick and Tony Bennett, to help define what is needed for a program that hasn’t had a winning season since 1995-96.
“I asked, ‘What did you do? What was your approach for your first recruiting class?’ ” she said. “They said we needed tough-minded kids who believed in the vision and worked hard enough, win or lose. That stuck with me. Not only are we attracting talented kids, they’re mentally tough.”
She was quick to credit her staff because she missed a lot of time after health issues kept her off the recruiting trail.
“Given my situation this year, especially with my health, I can’t say enough about my assistant coaches and what they did,” Daugherty said.