Women's Basketball: Saints reloaded for '06-'07

June 19, 2006

Lacey, WA – Saint Martin’s University Women’s Basketball Coach Tim Healy has announced the signing of eight new players and the addition of a 4 year college transfer. Joining the Saints’ next year will be freshman Krissy Bassett, Jamey Gelhar, and Sarah Painter. Joining the incoming freshman are 6 transfers; Kassie Ludeman, Amber Harmon, Necia Jerome, Breanne Lindquist, Sade Smith, Jessi Reome. With the early signing of Megan Busch and Destiny Schang the Saints will have 11 new faces on the team next fall.

“I am very happy with this recruiting class. Not only did we address every need we had, but we are bringing in some quality young people to the University,” said Healy. With a balance of incoming freshmen (5) and transfers (6) Healy feels that he has created a competitive environment which he hopes will breed a quality team. “We have a very full roster next fall and both the returners and incoming players will have to compete for their playing time.”

Krissy Bassett, a 6’ forward from Washougal, WA, was a McDonald’s All-American Nominee and League MVP in 2006. She was also selected first-team All-League 3 years running. Bassett averaged 21 points and nine rebounds per game leading to an impressive 1351 points in her career.

“Krissy is a diamond in the rough,” stated Healy. She is a tremendous athlete who knows how to put the ball in the basket, can run the floor and rebound. Her potential is simply outstanding. I believe she has the work ethic, attitude and abilities to become a very good player at this level.”

Jamey Gelhar, a 5’6” guard out of Prairie High School in Brush Prairie, WA, is a first-team All-League honoree. She averaged 12 points per game and helped lead her team to first, third, fourth, and second place finishes at the State tournament during her four year career. Gelhar was also a first-team All-state selection in 2006.

“Jamey is a great find for our program. She is very quick, and maybe the fastest player I have ever recruited,” commented Healy. “She is an outstanding defensive player who can shoot the 3. She comes from a great high school program which is a proven winner. Jamey has earned 10 varsity letters during her high school career in basketball, track and cross-country, while maintaining a 3.83 GPA. What a great person to have in your program.”

Sarah Painter is a 5’8” guard from Eatonville High School. She averaged 15 points, eight rebounds, and four assists per game. Her impressive stats earned her the title of Nisqually League Most Valuable Player.

“Sarah has a great attitude and work ethic which should carry her far,” said Healy. “She has had a lot of success at the high school level and hopefully that will carryover as she learns to adjust to the speed and strength of the collegiate game.”

Healy continued, “Each of these kids brings something completely different to the table. I am excited to see how quickly they can adjust to the college game.”

Two sets of junior college teammates will also join the club next year. Kassie Ludeman and Amber Harmon come to SMU following a third place finish at the NWAACC Tournament from Wenatchee Valley College. Whatcom Community College also sends a set of teammates, Necia Jerome and Breanne Lindquist. Joining these transfers will be Sade Smith from Centralia Community College and a four year transfer with two remaining years of eligibility, Jessi Reome.

Kassie Ludeman, a 6’2” center from Waterville, WA, was a first-team All-NWAACC East region selection as well as second-team All-NWAACC tournament selection. Kassie averaged 15.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.

"Kassie is the true ‘back to the basket’ kind of post player which we have wanted for several years. She is very strong and can score both inside and out,” said Healy. “I see her as a team leader and a fun player to coach. She has been very well-coached and comes from a successful JC program (Wenatchee Valley College). If she works hard she will be an immediate contributor."

Amber Harmon is a 5’9” guard from Wenatchee, WA. She was a first-team All-Eastern Region selection and a member of the NWAACC All-Star team in 2006. Amber averaged 15.9 points per game and made 52 three pointers this season contributing to her selection as team MVP.

“Amber fills a couple of critical needs we have this coming year,” stated Healy. “First, she is a taller wing player then we have had; but more importantly she can really shoot the three. I watched Amber play a lot this past season and she has improved leaps and bounds. She has outstanding offensive skills and will certainly be in a battle for playing time at the 3 spot.”

Necia Jerome is a 5’5” guard from Olympia, WA. She has spent the past two years at Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, WA where she was a starting guard and averaged 9.2 points per game. In high school Necia was a second-team All-Narrow League selection.

“Necia has improved leaps and bounds since high school,” commented Healy. “She is more physically mature and ahs proven she can play at the collegiate level and endure the physical nature of the game. She is a good athlete, with a good attitude and I think she will surprise some people this year.”

Breanne Lindquist, 5’8” out of Lynden, WA, was also a starting guard at Whatcom Community College. During her time there she averaged 10 points and 6 rebounds per game. Her senior year of high school Breanne was named second-team All Northwest League.

“Breanne caught my eye at the NWAACC tournament. I was impressed with her work ethic on both sides of the ball and her relentless rebounding from the guard position,” said Healy. “I think her hard work will make her a contributor on this team.”

Sade Smith is a 5’11” transfer from Pullman, WA. She averaged 12.9 points per game as well as 8.7 rebounds. Sade also had a .515 field goal percentage helping her to a first-team All-NWAACC West region selection.

“Sade is a very good athlete and has improved as much as any player I have ever seen over the last two years. I think that her ability to run the floor and rebound will make her a contributor right away,” said Healy.

Jessi Reome is a 5’10” guard out of Montana State-Northern. She comes to Saint Martin’s with two years of eligibility left and brings with her a .433 3 point shooting percentage. She also averaged 10.4 points per game and was named Honorable Mention All-Frontier Conference both her freshman and sophomore years.

“Jessi is a transfer with some solid collegiate experience,” commented Healy. “She led the Frontier Conference in 3 point shooting two years ago. She had to take some time off last year to let some foot injuries heal, but I feel that she is really motivated to play here and that her shooting ability will make her a threat right from the start.”

Healy feels these transfers will add stability to his program. “I have never brought in so many transfers in one year, but I feel like we needed some experienced players who may be able to help us immediately.”

Saint Martin’s finished with an overall record of 9-18 and a 5-13 record in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference last season.