Women's Basketball 12/3/2009 6:00:00 PM Southern Utah Athletics

Coach JR Payne Signs First Recruiting Class

CEDAR CITY, Utah - Dec. 5 - Southern Utah women's basketball head coach JR Payne announced her first signing class as the first-year head coach gathered a group of six players. The class includes Desiree Jackson (Moreno, Calif./Vista del Lago HS), Andrea Jones (Mesa, Ariz./Dobson HS), DJ Norman (Marion, Iowa/Linn-Mar HS), Meghan Ringer (Moraga, Calif./Campolindo HS), Carli Moreland (Broomfield, Colo./Legacy HS) and Danielle Wynn (Cedar City, Utah/Canyon View HS).

"Our immediate goal with the 2010 recruiting class was to recruit athleticism and those that have come from successful programs," Payne said of the group. "We have signed six players that will be true freshmen next year and each player represents the type of passion and desire that we want to instill in our players!

"They are great students and great people and will be the cornerstone of the future of SUU basketball. These six players love the game of basketball and will help build a 'gym rat' mentality. These kids are sure to bring excitement to the Centrum Arena for many years to come!"

Jackson is a 5-10 point guard who has averaged 10.6 points, 5.0 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 steals per game during her junior year at Vista del Lago High School. Jackson led VLHS in assists and steals, helping the team to a CIF quarterfinal appearance and an overall record of 25-3 last year. VLHS finished second in the league after a 12-2 record as Jackson led the team in free throw percentage during the season.

"Desiree is a tremendous athlete who can slash, rebound, defend and score the ball," Payne said. "She can play 1-3 and is a perfect fit for the uptempo style of offense that we would like to run. Dez will have an immediate impact on the success of our back court next year".

Jones is a 5-5 point guard, helping Dobson High School to 24 wins, an East Valley Region championship and state tournament appearance during her junior year. Jones averaged 12.8 points, 5.2 assists and 3.2 steals during the run and has started at the point guard position her entire career as a Mustang. She has been a three-time all East Valley Region selection, a two-time honorable mention all-state honoree and a McDonald's all-American nominee.

"Dre is a pure point guard and has had an extremely successful career thus far," Payne said. "She is a lights-out shooter and can also penetrate to create shots for other people. Dre will bring much needed depth at the point guard position next season".

Norman is 5-9 guard and a two-sport athlete at Linn-Mar High School, excelling on the hardwood and the soccer pitch. She helped LMHS to back-to-back state tournament semi-final appearances, compiling a 22-3 record as a sophomore and 24-1 record as a junior. Norman earned second-team all-conference and second-team all-metro honors during her junior year. She has played her club ball with IBCA Select, one of the top club teams in the country. On the soccer pitch, Norman has been the starting goal keeper since her freshman year, earning second-team all-Metro and second-team all-conference accolades during her sophomore and junior years. She holds the LMHS school record for most shutouts in a season and most shutouts in a career.

"DJ is an outstanding multi-sport athlete who could probably play Division I soccer as well as basketball," Payne said. "Both her high school and club teams have had much success over the past several years which has helped DJ become a true competitor. She will definitely stretch defenses with her long range shooting and has the ability to play any of the three guard positions".

Ringer is a 6-1 forward and a four-year varsity letter winner in basketball at Campolindo High School. She has been a three-year varsity starter while averaging close to 15 points and nine rebounds per game. Ringer was an all-league honoree last season while also earning West Coast Jamboree all-tournament and Tournament of Champions all-tournament team accolades in 2008 and 2009. She has played her club ball with the Bay Area Lady Warriors, serving as the team captain.

"Meghan is an extremely versatile forward," Payne said. "She can shoot the 3, put it on the floor and is very physical inside. She will bring added depth and physicality to both forward positions".

Moreland is a 6-1 forward and has lettered in each of her three years at Legacy High School. She averaged a double-double in points and rebounds during her junior year, earning all-region team honors and also earning three all-conference honors. Moreland was also named team MVP and best offensive player for LHS.

"Carli is a great athlete who can rebound as well as anyone I've seen," Payne said. "She plays with a relentless attitude and desire that has propelled her to a very successful career thus far. Carli will upgrade our athleticism at both post positions immediately".

Wynn is a four-year letter winner in three sports at Canyon View High School, earning marks in soccer, basketball and softball. She is a two-time first-team all-region and two-time honorable mention all-state honoree on the hardwood with the Falcons, serving as team captain for the last two years. Wynn also captured three first-team all-region honors in soccer and three first-team all-region honors in softball, while also garnering honorable mention all-state honors (2008) and second-team all-state accolades (2009) on the soccer pitch over the last two years.

"Dani is an exceptional athlete who will graduate this spring with 12 letters in soccer, softball and basketball," Payne said. "She embodies the type of work ethic, passion and determination that we expect of our student-athletes and will be a tremendous asset to the T-Bird family".

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