Bulls Add Five For 2011-12
11/22/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BUFFALO, NY – Sixth-year head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald has announced the addition of five players, who have all signed National Letter's of Intent to join the Bulls for the 2011-12 season. The class includes three players from the State of New York.
"We are extremely pleased with the class that we are bringing in for next season," said Hill-MacDonald. "We recruited this class keeping in mind that we are graduating four quality seniors and each of these kids fill one of those spots."
Christa Baccas (Hillburn, NY)
Baccas is ranked as the #39th best post player in the country according to ESPN HoopGurlz. She averaged 9.5 points and 10.7 rebounds during her junior season, while also adding 1.3 assists, 3.9 blocks and 1.5 steals per contest.
"Christa is going to remind fans of Kourtney Brown, the way she can run the court and with her tremendous hands," said Hill-MacDonald. "She has a tremendous upside to her and I can't wait to help her develop some of her skills."
Kasheema Besley (Spring Valley, NY)
Besley averaged 10.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 10.0 assists and 3.0 steals a game during her junior season and was named second-team All-County in each of the last two years. Led her team to the Bergen County Championship Game last year and made the state sectional finals in 2008.
"Kasheema is a point guard with great quickness and can move at a high rate of speed," said Hill-MacDonald. "She is in control when running the offense and has a great ability to find her teammates."
Kaila Callender (Stuart, FL)
Callender averaged a double-double during her junior season with 15.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. She is an 85 percent free throw shooter and has been awarded MVP honors for both her high school and AAU teams. She was named to the All-Area First Team for the Treasure Coast as she led her team last year in points, rebounds, and free throws. At the Aspire Elite Classic, her High School team won their Division Championship. Callender was named to the All-Tournament Team as well. She was also honored with an award for Athletic Academic Achievement in High School.
"Kaila compliments our posts very well," said Hill-MacDonald. "She thrives on contact and can really own the paint. She has a great presence down low."
Valerie Majewski (McKean, PA)
Majewski averaged 23.6 points, 3.1 assists, 4.3 steals and 5.6 rebounds last season as she was named first-team All-State, first-team All-Region and the Region Player of the Year. She scored her 1,000th career point in just the third game of her junior season. Helped lead her team to the state semifinals in her sophomore season, the furthest run ever for her high school. Was named Freshman of the Year in her region.
"Val is a tremendous shooter and can hit from anywhere on the court," said Hill-MacDonald. "She can score from behind the arc, but can also drive and hit that mid-range jumper."
Sloane Walton (Elma, NY)
Walton was named third-team All-Western New York and first-team All-Catholic League last season. She averaged 17.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists a game. She was named team MVP in 2009-10 and made the All-Star team at two tournament's last season. She comes from a basketball family as her dad played for four years at Canisius.
"Sloane is someone who is very smart and has a great basketball IQ," said Hill-MacDonald. "She can play either the two or three and has tremendous footwork."
