Spartans Add Six Newcomers For 2008-09 Season
TAMPA, Fla. - University of Tampa women's basketball coach Tom Jessee has announced the signing of four freshmen and two transfers to attend UT in the Fall of 2008. Five of the six hail from the state of Florida as all five positions are represented by the incoming class.
University of South Florida transfers Gianna Messina and Caitlyn Mitryk are joined by prep standouts Brittany Brown, Kristina Carruth, Destiny Mitchell and Sarah Wickham to comprise the newcomers. The group will replace the six departing seniors who were lost to graduation and the fulfillment of their eligibility.
"We feel like we managed to replace the great senior class with a combination of experience from transfers and quality high school seniors, says head coach Tom Jessee. "Hopefully they will create another strong class here at UT. As a group, they are expected to come in right away and compete for playing time. This group will have an opportunity to make an impact right away and has a chance to be a special class. I see their upside in size, speed and experience. Time will tell as they make their mark towards the tradition at UT."
Messina, a 5-6 guard, comes to UT after playing her freshman season at USF. The Tampa native and former star at the Academy of Holy Names will be reunited with her twin sister Catriana on the Spartan squad. At USF, Messina played in 27 games as a freshman, starting eight. She averaged 4.8 points while ranking third on the squad with 27 three-pointers. She also accumulated 36 assists and nine steals. The former class 3A Florida Player of the Year was also a first-team all-state selection in high school while being named the Hillsborough County Player of the Year.
"Gianna is a tremendous scorer from the high school level who brings experience after playing Division I basketball," says Jessee. "We are excited to have her join her sister and expect her to compete for playing time at the two spot right away. She brings a tremendous work ethic."
Mitryk, a 6-1 guard/forward, hails from Lake Mary and played the past two seasons at USF. As a sophomore, she played in 15 games for the Bulls, starting two. She averaged 1.7 points and tallied 22 assists, six blocks and four steals. She saw immediate playing time as a freshman, playing in 23 games during USF's NCAA tournament run. A graduate of Lake Mary High School, she was a teammate of current Spartan Angela Guiu and former UT player Alexa Kane. As a senior, she teamed with Guiu to lead the team to a state championship. She was named an all-state honorable mention choice and was a McDonald's High School All-American as a senior.
"Caitlyn could very well be the sleeper of the group," says Jessee. "Her size creates mismatches at the guard spot. She comes from solid fundamental program and I expect her to compete at the three spot right away. This could be an exciting year for her in regards to re-establishing herself as the player she was in high school."
Brown, a 6-0 forward from Fort Myers, comes to UT from Dunbar High School. As a senior, she averaged nine points and 11 rebounds while leading the state of Florida in rebounding. She concluded her high school career with a school record of 1,000-plus rebounds. At Dunbar, she led her team to the state finals as a senior. She also earned an invitation to play in the Lee County All-Star game.
"Brittany is a strong player who is a tremendous rebounder," says Jessee. "She has a big upside. She is not as polished offensively as she will become, but she will defend you and loves contact. She comes from Fort Myers, where we have had a lot of success in the past. We expect her to compete at four spot from day one."
Carruth, a 6-3 center from Orlando, attended University High School and originally signed with Division I Stetson University. She averaged 18.2 points and 9.8 rebounds as a senior, where she led the district in scoring. She also eclipsed a school record with 28 points in a game and was named second-team all-metro. Her play earned an invite to the district all-star game. While playing AAU for the Orlando Comets, she was a 2007 National AAU All-American while being selected to the Breakdown Tournament all-star team.
"Kristina brings much needed size at center spot," says Jessee. "I believe she was one of the best kept secrets in central Florida. We originally lost her but were able to get her back. She can face up and shoot and has a post players body. She likes to rebound and possesses a bright future here. Hopefully she can continue to add to the tremendous history of centers we have had as she will compete immediately."
Mitchell, a 5-8 guard from Metropolis, Ill., went to Massac County High School. After averaging 14.9 points as a senior, she broke the school record as the all-time boys/girls leading scorer with 1,783 career points. A four year varsity starter, Mitchell helped her team to a Sweet 16 and two Elite Eight appearances while also breaking the school record with 24 rebounds in a game. A 40 percent three-point shooter with 93 as a senior, she also led the team with 102 assists while finishing her career with 268 three-pointers. A four-time all-SIRR conference selection, she was also a four-year SICA all-South choice. She was also named honorable mention all-state as a freshman, third-team as a sophomore, second-team as a junior and first-team as a senior. Her play earned her invitations to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association all-star game and the Southern Illinois Coaches Association game. An excellent student, she was a four year Honor Roll member with a 3.85 GPA while ranking fifth in a class of 149 students.
"Destiny is an offensive three point specialist," says Jessee. "She is a fundamental player who comes to us in the mind of being a scorer. She can play a couple of different positions and will compete right away."
Wickham, a 5-7 guard from Naples, comes to Tampa from St. John Neumann High School. A 2A first-team all-state selection as a senior, Wickham averaged 22.3 points in her final season. She concluded her prep career as a three-time regular season scoring leader in Southwest Florida while scoring over 2,100 points to break the school's all-time record for boys and girls. A three-time District 12, Class 2A player of the year, she was a four-year starter and three-time captain while being named MVP in each of her four years. As a senior, she led her team to the state tournament where she was named to the all-tournament team. She also played AAU for the Naples Shockers/Thunder/Riptide, where she won four tournament MVP awards and was named to five all-tournament teams while playing for four national qualifiers.
"Sarah is a tremendous scorer and we are ecstatic to have her," says Jessee. "She has all the tools to be successful at collegiate game. She shoots three well and has a complete game right now. She could be a surprise as a freshman in the Sunshine State Conference. She looks to contribute right away on the offensive side."