Nov. 16, 2011

Reach WBB Contact Michael Stambaugh for more details - 386.481.2278 -

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Though Vanessa Blair's Lady Wildcat bench nearly tripled in size this season, the B-CU women's basketball family just got a little bigger with the announcement of three signees in the early recruiting period. B-CU adds two post players and one shooting guard for the 2012 class.

During the early signing period, the Lady Wildcats reeled in three notable players from all around the southeastern U.S., building even greater depth in all aspects of the team.

"I'm overjoyed with the recruiting of these young ladies, their families, and coaches," said Blair. "All three of these ladies come from very supportive families and coaches and it has been a pleasure recruiting them. They all have the ability to come in contribute right away to this program. For us to have these caliber of athletes in the early signing period goes to show the remarkable recruiting job that has been done."

All-Metro and two-time All-District selection out of New Orleans' Xavier Prep, center Kailyn Williams adds another dimension to the B-CU game, both on offense and defense, standing 6'4" and averaging 13.6 points as a junior. The future Wildcat center uses her height well, collecting 14 rebounds and 10 blocks per game, in addition to two steals.

"Kailyn possesses size that we have not had here in a very long while," said Blair. "She has great hands and a great feel for the game, in addition to a great basketball IQ and the ability to finish. She has guard-type skills, making her very dangerous, with the ability to shoot from the outside, handle the ball, and she sees the floor very well."

Joining Williams in the post, making Coach Blair's first addition out of Memphis, Jeri Crane joins the Lady Wildcats from Wooddale High, fresh off playing in the Super 80 fall league, and previously with Team Memphis Elite AAU club. At 5'11", she makes a great addition as a combo-forward with demonstrated ability to play multiple positions.

"Jeri Crane is a power forward that possesses ability to play not only inside, but outside as well," said Blair. "She has a guard's handling abilities and can come in from the wing and score. She can score in the paint and has proven to be very aggressive and a ferocious rebounder."

Though the Lady Wildcats just received a heavy dose of additions at the guard position, after the season they will lose one of the most notable three-point shooters in program history, in Jalisa Isaac. Enter Taylor Houston from Raleigh, N.C., who also keeps with the theme in the class of height, coming from Millbrook High at 5'10". Averaging 7 PPG as a junior, Houston shows solid defensive ability and helped lead her team to a conference title and trip to the State final last season.

"Taylor is a three-point threat. Her game is behind the arc, but she has the ability to get to the hole. From a defensive standpoint, she makes us a lot bigger on the wing with the quickness to defend any position on the wing."

With three departing seniors, the Lady Wildcats are building a truly talented and deep team as they look to the future. With these new additions, the future looks bright.

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