Marquette Inks Three During Early Signing Period
11/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
11/17/2005 - Three student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their academic and athletic endeavors at Marquette University for the 2006-07 season, head coach Terri Mitchell announced today.
Janelle Harris, Jocelyn Mellen, and Lauren Thomas-Johnson committed to play for the Golden Eagles for next season.
"We're excited about the three players we've signed and know that they are part of the foundation we are trying to build in the BIG EAST Conference." said Mitchell. "Each of them come to us from outstanding high school programs and they possess the enthusiasm, work ethic, and the winning mentality that Marquette needs to play at its highest level. They all want to make a difference both on the court and off, because of the great people they are."
Harris, a 6-0 guard from Detroit, Mich., averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds per game for Renaissance H.S. During this past 2005 season - in Michigan, girls basketball competes in the Fall - she helped lead the Phoenix to a third-place finish in the Detroit Public School Championship. Harris was a teammate of current MU freshman Marissa Thrower.
"Janelle has tremendous athleticism and will give us versatility at a number of positions." said Mitchell. "She has a quick first step and is a tenacious rebounder."
Mellen, a 6-foot-3 post player from Sterling, Ill., helped Newman Catholic to a state Class A semifinal appearance last season. She averaged 19.1 points, 13.2 rebounds and 4.5 blocked shots and was named Second Team All-State as a junior, during her second varsity season.
"Jocelyn will see action at power forward for us." Mitchell stated. "She has excellent skills, both inside and on the perimeter, and is a fierce competitor that makes everyone around her better."
Thomas-Johnson, a 5-foot-10 guard from Manchester, England, is currently completing her high school career at Notre Dame Academy in Middlebury, Va. Last season, she averaged 15 points, six rebounds and five assists while helping her team go 26-2. In her native England, Thomas-Johnson started for the under-18 national team this past summer.
"Lauren should be able to fill the void with several of our guards graduating this year." Mitchell said. "She is a confident player with a lot of offensive ability, whether penetrating or shooting from the outside."
In addition to the three signees, Marquette will also add 6-3 center Kelly Lam next season. Lam, who is practicing with the team, must sit out the 2005-06 campaign due to NCAA transfer regulations. The Brookfield, Wisc. native transferred from the University of Oklahoma.
Marquette opens play in the 2005-06 regular season on Friday, when they travel to face Evansville on Friday, Nov. 18.
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