JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri -- Head coach Nicole Collier announced that five players have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Lincoln women's basketball team in 2015-16.Kierra Adams (West Memphis, Ark./Mid-South Community College), Azaria Nave (San Antonio, Texas/Dodge City Community College) and Narel Santos (Itapema, Brazil/North Central Missouri College) will each enter as juniors with two years of eligibility. Bri'anna Ervin (Kansas City, Mo./Hogan Prep) and Tempary Gunter (Tuscumbia, Mo./Tuscumbia) will join the Blue Tigers as freshmen with four seasons of eligibility.
These five athletes join a Lincoln team that won 12 games and qualified for the MIAA tournament for the third time in the past four seasons.
"I am excited about this incoming recruiting class," Collier said. "I believe that we have filled our deficiencies from the 2014-15 year."
Adams is coming off a sophomore season in which she averaged a double-double as an every-game starter at Mid-South Community College. A 6-1 post player, Adams shot .563 from the floor and averaged 21.6 points with 12.3 rebounds. Adams also averaged a double-double as a freshman, scoring 20.9 points with 10.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks while leading the Lady Greyhounds to the first regional championship in program history.
Adams also was named the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Player of the Week during her freshman campaign and was twice selected all-region. During her high school career at West Memphis, Adams was a two-time all-conference honoree who led the team in scoring, rebounding and blocks her senior season. Adams also led the Lady Blue Devils to the state tournament as a senior, earning all-state honors in the process.
"Kierra is very talented post player that has the size and ability to finish at a high percentage and provide us a much needed presence inside," Collier said. "We look for Kierra to make an immediate impact."
A 5-5 guard, Nave averaged 14.2 points and was a .360 shooter from long range during her sophomore season at Dodge City Community College. Nave appeared in all 31 of the team's games, including making 26 starts, and averaged 3.7 assists while posting a team-best 1.7 assist-to-turnover ratio. That followed a freshman campaign in which she finished second on the team with 11.9 points and 3.8 assists per game. Nave played her high school ball at San Antonio's East Central, where she was a first team all-district selection.
"Azaria is a combo guard with a high motor and IQ that will fit perfectly into our offense," Collier said. "She is a natural scorer with exceptional court vision as well."
Santos, a 6-3 post player, averaged 9.6 points and 7.1 rebounds during her lone season at North Central Missouri College. Santos started 30 games and led the Lady Pirates to a 20-12 record and a berth in the District P Championship. Santos spent her freshman season at State Fair Community College, appearing in 25 games on a team that went 21-10 in 2012-13.
"Narel brings a wealth of experience with her ability to shoot the three, put her back to the basket and distribute the ball," Collier said. "Her versatility will bring a new dynamic to our style of play."
A 5-9 forward, Gunter averaged 15.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 1.9 assists per game during her three varsity seasons at Tuscumbia. Gunter averaged double-digit points all three years, including tallying 16.5 points and 7.1 rebounds as a junior. During her senior campaign, Gunter led the Lady Lions to a 28-4 record and a third-place finish in the Class 1 state tournament. Gunter, who scored more than 1,000 points during her high school career, earned first team all-district honors as a senior and second team all-league accolades as a junior.
Ervin, a 5-8 shooting guard, averaged 15 points as a senior at Hogan Prep. During that season, Ervin also averaged seven points, six assists and four steals. Ervin shot .420 from the field and .650 from three-point range.
"Tempary and Bri'anna will add size to our guard position with tremendous work ethics and the ability to play multiple positions," Collier said. "Both guards will contribute to our growing foundation in LU basketball and our continued progress toward success. We are excited about the future of LU Basketball."
Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
COURTESY LINCOLN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
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