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Kathy Fedorjaka Welcomes Six Recruits to the Women's Basketball Program
June 3, 2004 LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell head women's basketball coach Kathy Fedorjaka has announced her 2004-05 recruiting class, which includes three merit-aid recipients and three other incoming freshmen. Washington, D.C.'s Hope Foster and Ashton Sprouse of Dayton, Ohio, join early-signee Kristina Collymore (Montclair, N.J./Montclair) as the second class of merit-aid recipients in Bucknell women's basketball history. Lady Lockhart (Harrisburg, Pa./Harrisburg), Kesha Champion (Chesapeake, Va./Indian River) and Sarah Latham (Mystic, Conn./Fitch) are the other three recruits in the class of 2008. Collymore, a 5'4" guard, signed the National Letter of Intent to play basketball for the Bison beginning with the 2004-05 season during the early signing period in November. A three-time Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) first-team all-league selection, Collymore also appeared on the All-Essex County team three-straight years. In 2001, she was a member of the AAU/YBOA National Championship Team, garnering Tournament Most Valuable Player honors at the same time. "Kristina is a dynamic player and personality both on and off the court," commented Fedorjaka. "She brings tremendous energy to the guard position, a trait which is critical in that role. She is skilled in the open court system, and brings a wealth of offensive weapons to the court with her scoring, penetrating and creating shots for herself and others. Kristina is also solid on the defensive side of the ball and will fit well into what we do on both ends of the floor." A 6'2" forward from Dunbar High School, Foster averaged a double-double in her senior season with 10 points per game and 11 rebounds per game. Joining senior Brooke Tomovich as the tallest members of the team, Foster also rejected 2.5 shots each night out, while proving a menace with 3.0 steals per game. "Hope can run the floor extremely well, can jump, and has great hands," commented Fedorjaka. "She loves to block shots, rebound and defend. Hope will make an immediate impact right away, but I am also excited to see how good she can become throughout her playing career at Bucknell." Sprouse is a 6'1" forward who played her high school basketball for Archbishop Alter in Dayton, Ohio. The AAU All-American was a starter on her national championship AAU Lady Hoopsters team. Averaging 12.0 points per game, 8.0 rebounds per game and 3.0 assists per game in high school, Sprouse led the Dayton area with an .890 free throw percentage. "Ashton is a solid player who just doesn't make many mistakes," said Fedorjaka. "She is fundamentally sound and smart in her play, doing the little things that help teams win ball games. Ashton has great running ability for a forward and she comes from a great high school and AAU program, so she understands what it takes to win." At 5'7", Champion will add depth to the guard position for the Orange and Blue. Hailing from Chesapeake, Va., and Indian River High School, she averaged 12.0 points per game, 4.0 steals per game and 3.5 assists per game in her final season. Champion possesses a multitude of scoring options, which will prove valuable at the two-guard position. "Kesha will be a tremendous addition to our team," stated Fedorjaka. "Her staple is her defensive abilities. She has great speed, great athleticism, great endurance, and she can flat-out defend. Kesha also possesses great ball handling skills and will fit into our running style perfectly." Latham is the one member of the recruiting class expected to alternate between guard and forward with her 6'0" frame. An all-state player in both basketball and volleyball at Fitch High School in Mystic, Conn., Latham averaged 19.0 points per game, 8.0 rebounds per game and 3.0 steals per game in her final season. "Sarah runs the floor extremely well at the forward spot and can really get out and lead the break," said Fedorjaka. "She can score from the inside or out, and is a solid defender as well. Sarah also does a nice job on the boards, which will be a critical area of focus with the loss of Desire Almind." The final member of the class of 2008 is Lockhart, a native of Harrisburg, Pa. The 5'5" point guard topped off her career at Harrisburg High School with a 32-1 record as a senior, with the team's only loss coming in the state championship game. A third-team all-state performer and two-time "Big-15 Player", Lockhart average 12.0 points per game, 6.0 assists per game and 3.0 steals per game on the PIAA Eastern Region Championship team. In addition to her abilities on the court, Lockhart is also the valedictorian of her class and was recently honored with the John Travers Award, which acknowledges accomplishments in both academics and athletics. "Lady is a great natural leader," commented Fedorjaka. "The prototypical point guard, her number one focus and strength on the floor is running the team and distributing the basketball to the "right" people at the "right" times. Lady is a true floor general who possesses great intensity and work ethic."
The Bison open the 2004-05 season on Friday November 19, 2004 at the Florida International Tournament, which will also feature Texas A&M and South Florida. The squad returns to Lewisburg and Sojka Pavilion for the home opener on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 against Cornell.
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