Women's Basketball Adds Best Recruiting Class Ever For 2000-2001

DURHAM, N.C. (November 16) -- If you would say Duke University women's basketball coach Gail Goestenkors is happy about her recruiting class she just signed for the 2000-2001 season, that would be an understatement. Goestenkors has just landed the best recruiting class she has ever had at Duke and one of the best in the nation.

Committed to attend Duke University in the fall and play basketball are Alana Beard (Frierson, La.), Rometra Craig (Portola Valley, Ca.), Vicki Krapohl (Mt. Pleasant, Mi.), Iciss Tillis (Tulsa, Ok.), and Crystal White (Clinton Township, Mi.).

"This is by far the best recruiting class we have ever signed," said Goestenkors." It is the most athletic and versatile class we have ever brought in. They are all exceptional players and athletes as well as good students and tremendous people. All five will be good additions to our team because of the people they are not just the athletes they are."

Beard is a 5-11 guard/forward out of Southwood H.S. As a junior she averaged 25.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.9 steals, and 2.9 assists in 38 games played. She is listed as one of the "Super 25 Players" by the USA Today, a honorable mention All-American by Street & Smith, and is ranked as the top wing in the class of 2000 by the All-Star Girls Report. Last season she was selected the state of Louisiana MVP, all-state, all-district & district MVP, all-city & city MVP, Nike All-American, State Tournament MVP. As a sophomore she was selected to the all-state second team and all-district second team.

"Alana is one of the best players I've ever seen play in my life," said Goestenkors. "She is a very versatile player with a tremendous shooting touch, excellent passer and has an unbelievable passion for the game. The best part of her game is her defense, which she loves to play. She will help us right away in terms of athleticism and versatility."

Craig is a 5-10 guard/forward from Archbishop Mitty, who averaged 23.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.1 steals, and 2.7 assists last season. Currently, she is rated a fifth team All-American selection by Street & Smith, one of the "Super 25 Players" by the USA Today, and ranked #21 out of the top 80 players by Blue Star Basketball. Craig was selected MVP of the Blossom Valley Athletic League, Player of the Year for the San Jose Mercury News and KICU High School Sports Focus, first team all-state, and Athlete of the Year for the State of California by the Student Sports Magazine and Archbishop Mitty H.S.

"Rometra is another exceptional athlete who we are so excited about," said Goestenkors. "She has perhaps the best work ethic of any person I've ever seen and is the strongest player that we have ever had on the team."

Krapohl is a 5-3 point guard out of Mt. Pleasant H.S. Through 20 games this season she is averaging 25.8 points, 5.7 assists, and 5.0 steals a game. In her four years at Mount Pleasant, Mi., she has totaled 1,842 points (22.3 per game average), 447 steals, and 412 assists. Krapohl is listed as an honorable mention All-American by Street & Smith, ranked as the 18th best point guard in the class of 2000 by the All-Star Girls Report, rated as the second best player in Michigan by the Detroit News & Detroit Free Press, and listed as a "Player to Watch" by the USA Today. Other honors are all-state first team, all-area super five, Mid-Michigan all-conference, and received the scholar-athlete award for Mt. Pleasant H.S. as a junior. She is the all-time leading scorer in the school history.

"Vicki is a true point guard," said Goestenkors. "At 5-3 she will be the smallest player on our team, but with the biggest heart. She is a great leader with very good quickness, who loves to play defense. She will be a great leader for us next year and a good coach on the floor."

Tillis is a 6-4 forward from Cascia Hall Prep, who is featured in today's (11/16) USA Today's women's college basketball report. She averaged 19.2 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 5.0 blocks and 5.0 steals a game last season as a junior. She is a Street & Smith's second team All-American, ranked as the sixth best player in the class of 2000 by Blue Star Basketball, one of the "Super 25 Players" by the USA Today, and rated as the third best wing in the class of 2000 by the All-Star Girls Report. Tillis is also a 1998 USA Women's World Youth games team member (Moscow, Russia), 1998-99 Gatorade Player of the Year, Parade All-American, a three-time all-conference selection, Tulsa Player of the Year in 97 & 98, and Tulsa Metro Player of the Year in 97 & 98.

"Iciss is the most versatile player we have ever signed, said Goestenkors. "She can play almost all five positions at 6-4. She is a tremendous athlete who can shoot the three and drive to the basket. People are going to be have a lot of fun watching her both on offense and defense next season."

White is a 6-5 forward/center out of Mt. Clemons H.S. where she averaged 14.7 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.9 blocks as a junior. She is a third team Street & Smith's All-American and is listed as a "Player to Watch" by the USA Today. White was a third team all-state selection, second team all-metro east selection and was named all-league as a junior. In 19 games so far this season she is averaging 16.3 points and 13.0 rebounds, while leading her team to a 16-3 record.

"Crystal is another player who loves to run and loves to press," said Goestenkors. "She is 6-5 and has very long arms and loves to block shots. She could become much more versatile as she continues to improve her outside shooting touch with us next year. Our fans will love watching her play as she can dunk the basketball."

Women's Basketball Adds Best Recruiting Class Ever For 2000-2001

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