FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University women's basketball head coach
Bill Reinson has announced his recruiting class for the 2013-14 season. Incoming freshmen
Treasure Avery/Lincolnton, North Carolina,
Emily Nylen/Rockford, Illinois and
Brenna Robbins/Erie, Pennsylvania will join the 2013 Big South Conference Championship runners-up, as the squad looks to build on its post-season success from its first-ever Big South campaign. Longwood will open the new season on the road at Seton Hall University on Friday, November 8 at 7 p.m.
“We had some big shoes to fill with this recruiting class,” said Reinson. “I think our staff did a very good job of identifying and recruiting players who were a little bit under the radar. Treasure, Emily and Brenna are all talented, hard-working, personable young women, who are not only committed to being successful on the basketball court, but also excelling in the classroom. They will be outstanding representatives of Longwood University women's basketball. We are very excited to welcome them to the program.”
Avery, a four-year varsity starter, averaged 12.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 5.0 steals at Lincolnton High School. The 5-7 guard was a four-time All-Conference honoree, as well as a three-time All-District selection and Team MVP. Avery, who was voted team captain twice, garnered North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Scholar-Athlete recognition all four years at Lincolnton.
“This past season we established a style of play that will define Longwood women's basketball,” explained Reinson. “
Treasure Avery fits that style of play. She pushes the ball in transition, defends all over the floor and makes the hustle plays that help you win ball games. She also has the ability to make the players around her better. Treasure is a hard worker, who will provide an immediate impact to our program.”
Nylen averaged 6.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks as a senior at Rockford Christian High School. The 6-5 forward was a four-year varsity starter, who totaled 295 blocks in her high school career. A two-time All-Conference First Team selection, she was named to the area All-Star team following her senior campaign. Nylen was a four-year Honor Roll student and was named the 2013 Class Valedictorian, as well.
“Emily is a very interesting player,” said Reinson. “She suffered an injury prior to the recruiting period last summer and didn't return to game competition until January. Sometimes, you need to get lucky in recruiting. I think we got pretty lucky when we signed Emily. She has good size, moves very well and has terrific hands. She has a knack for blocking shots and a great feel for the game.”
Robbins, who was a four-year varsity starter at Mercyherst Preparatory School, averaged 10.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 blocked shots during her career. The 5-10 guard was team captain for her senior season, and was an All-Region selection as a junior and senior. Robbins was also a four-year Honor Roll student.
“Brenna is a very good basketball player,” commented Reinson. “She can guard any position on the floor and has an outstanding basketball IQ. She is a terrific passer and a very dangerous three-point threat. The skills that she will bring to the program won't necessarily show up in the box score, but she is a very smart and savvy player, who will help us in a number of ways.”
Longwood returns eight letterwinners in addition to its three newcomers for 2013-14. Last season, Reinson guided his squad to a 14-19 overall record and an appearance in the 2013 VisitMyrtleBeach.com Big South Conference Championship finals. The team's 14 victories marked the most wins in a season for the program since its first year playing a Division I schedule back in 2007-08 (16).
