Women's basketball team signs proven scorers who can fill key roles

SAULT STE. MARIE - The Lake Superior State women's basketball team has signed three capable scorers as the Lakers focus their recruiting efforts on replacing a big senior class in two years. 

Taylor Green of Lansing, Raven Trammell of Holland and Candice LaCross of Grand Rapids have signed National Letters of Intent.

Green is a 5-9 forward who averaged 14.5 points and five rebounds per game for Everett High School in 2008-09. She missed more than half the season due to injury.

"Taylor is a great athlete that has great feel around the rim," LSSU head coach Jamie Pewinski said. "She is quick and long, and has the potential to be an excellent defensive player for us."

Trammell, 5-foot-6, is a three-year starting guard at West Ottawa High School. She earned All-OK Conference Red Division First Team and all-area honors last season after averaging 13.5 points, six assists and 3.5 steals per game. As a sophomore, she averaged 11.5 points and five assists per game to lead the Panthers.

"Raven is a true point guard," Pewinski said. "She is an excellent scorer, but really tries to distribute first and get her teammates involved. She has all the attributes of a winner and plays the game the right way."

LaCross, a 6-0 forward, helped lead Forrest Hills Central High School to back-to-back Class A district titles. Last season, LaCross averaged 9.7 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game as the Rangers also reached the regional finals. She earned All-OK Conference Black Division Honorable Mention after ranking sixth in scoring. She was fourth in the area in field-goal percentage at .560.

"Candice is a good athlete and excellent shooter," Pewinski said. "She anticipates extremely well and is creative around the basket. She will add some much-needed size at the wing, and her length will be an asset defensively. I think Candice is just beginning to come into her own and will have a really good senior season, but her best basketball is yet to be played."

Pewinski's current junior class includes a forward and four guards, who all play major roles on the team. LSSU's squad has no seniors.

"We are excited to start our 2010 recruiting class with these three players," Pewinski said. "They will fit in our system and will be a huge part of replacing the big junior class. They will also provide more depth for us next season. All three of them love to be in the gym and have a desire to be great college players. Each one of them fell in love with the school and can see themselves being successful as student-athletes."