BLUEFIELD, West Virginia -- Bluefield State women's basketball head coach Ryan Bailey announced the last four members of the 2018 recruiting class. "These four young ladies come ready to make the commitment to help carry out the vision and mission we have set for the women's basketball program. They are great additions to the other young ladies who made that same commitment just a few months ago."
The group of four consist of one recent high school grad, one Junior College transfer, and two NCAA Division II transfers (one of which will look very familiar to those around Bluefield). They are Jemiah Brittnum (Chester, VA), Natori Nesbit (Capitol Heights, MD), Jia Coppola (Bluefield, WV), and Tenisha Hopkins (Sandusky, OH).
Jemiah Brittnum, 5'7", Guard
Jemiah joins the Big Blues Family after completing her high school career at Thomas Dale High School (Chester, VA). If that looks familiar, it is because in early April, her high school teammate Kylah Webb, signed with the Big Blues. While at Thomas Dale, Jemiah led her team in steals, free throw percentage, averaged 8.0 points per game, and 2.1 assists per game.
Natori Nesbit, 5'9", Forward/Guard
Natori comes to Bluefield State after spending the last two seasons as a member of the Skipjacks at Chesapeake College (JUCO) in North East, MD. This past season Natori started 25 of 27 games for the Skipjacks and averaged 7.0 points per game and 4.7 rebounds. Natori will have 2 seasons of eligibility left with the Big Blues.
Jia Coppola, 5'10", Forward
Jia is one of the two NCAA Div. II transfer making her way the Big Blues. Having redshirted last season at cross county Concord University, Jia has all four years of eligibility to don the Navy and Gold. No stranger to those in the city of Bluefield as she graduated from Bluefield High School in 2017. A 1000 point scorer in high school, Jia was also named 1st team all-State as a senior while helping lead her team to the State Championship game that same season. Her play did not go un-noticed as she was named the Pocahontas Coal Association-Cole Chevrolet/Bluefield Daily Telegraph Player of the Year.
Tenisha Hopkins, 6'0", Forward
The other of the NCAA Div. II transfers, Tenisha last played in the 2016-2017 season for Alderson Broaddus University. A native of Sandusky, Ohio, Tenisha will have to sit out this season due to NCAA transfer rules, but will be ready to go with two years of eligibility in the 2019-2020 season. During her time at Alderson Broaddus, Tenisha saw action in 12 games, starting 6, and averaged 4.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game.
The first group of Big Blues signees consisted of eight young ladies who hail from 3 different states (West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina). They will consist of seven high school graduates and one junior college transfer. They will cover all five positions on the floor and range in height from 5'8" to 6'1". They are Dani Janutolo (Bluefield, WV), Kara Sandy (Bud, WV), Holly Toller (Logan, WV), Alexus Tucker (Raleigh, NC), Kylah Webb (Chester, VA), Hayleigh Whited (Richlands, VA), Tyeisha Williams (Eden, NC), and Madison Wilcox (Lavalette, WV).
Dani Janutolo, 5'11", Guard
Dani played her senior year of basketball at Tazewell High School (Tazewell, VA) after playing her first three years at Bluefield High School. Dani was a first team All-State selection her senior year while also reaching the 1000 point scoring plateau. During her first three years of high school while at Bluefield, Dani was named to the All-State team every year. She was also a key piece in their State runner-up finish in her junior year. This past season, the first team All-District and All-Region player averaged 19.0 points a game and was selected to play in the Virginia vs. Tennessee all-star game.
Kara Sandy, 6'0", Guard
Kara comes to Bluefield State after a very successful high school career at Wyoming East H.S. (WV) that saw her win a State Championship during her sophomore year and State runner-up her senior year. Kara who is also the Valedictorian of her class, was named to the All-State teams her freshman, sophomore, and senior seasons. This past season, Kara led her team in scoring averaging 16.2 points a game, while also averaging 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. She was named to the State All-tournament team her freshman, sophomore, and senior seasons.
Holly Toller, 6'1", Post
Holly will join the Big Blues after finishing up her high school career the past two seasons at Logan High School (WV). She spent her first two years attending and playing at Scott H.S. (WV). An All-State performer her senior year, Holly averaged 18.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks a game this past year. The two time All-Cardinal Conference stand-out, also led her team to the Elite Eight in the State this past season. The Honor Society student will be graduating with honors.
Alexus Tucker, 5'8", Guard
Alexus Tucker, who was tabbed as one of the top prospects from North Carolina by ESPN Hoopgurlz and Dan Olson (Collegiate Girls Basketball Report), comes to Bluefield State from Millbrook High School (Raleigh, NC). Alexus was a member of the State Championship team her sophomore year and State runner-up her junior year of high school. The National Honor Society and All-Conference student-athlete averaged 10.4 points, 6.2 assists, 2.3 steals, and 5.4 rebounds a game during her senior campaign.
Kylah Webb, 6'1", Post
Kylah joins the Big Blues women's basketball program after playing her high school years at Thomas Dale High School (Chester, VA). Having missed both her sophomore and junior years due to ACL injuries, Kylah was only able to play her freshman and senior years. During her senior year, where she was awarded with the Return to Sender (most blocks) and senior team awards, averaged 9.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2 blocks a game this year.
Hayleigh Whited, 5'10", Forward
Hayleigh, who was named All-Region her senior year, played her high school days at nearby Richlands High School (Richlands, VA). The honor roll student was also named All-Conference while helping Richlands to State play-offs. Her senior year she averaged 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots per game.
Tyeisha Williams, 5'8", Guard
Tyeisha is the lone junior college transfer of the group of eight signees. Having played her high school ball at the Carlisle School (Martinsville, VA), played her freshman stanza at Patrick Henry Community College. The All-State performer in high school, helped lead PHCC this season while posting averages of 13 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.
Madison Wilcox, 5'10", Forward
Madison will be coming to Bluefield State via Wayne High School (W.V.). The All-State performer her senior year and 2-time All-Cardinal Conference player averaged a double-double over the past two years. Playing a big part in the rebuilding process at Wayne, she helped lead them to the West Virginia State Final Four this past season. The honor roll student will leave Wayne High School with an average of 11.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 2.5 blocks during her 4 year career.
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