Cal Pac News
Wed, May 12, 2010 - [Women's Basketball]

Simpson University women's basketball coach Derrick Pringle announced the signing of five student-athletes. Haley Smith, Crystal Carpenter, Melanie Shank, Rayneiqua Edwards, and Taylor Labosky will join the Red Hawks for the 2010-2011 season.

Haley Smith joins the Red Hawks from Vancouver, Washington, where she was a standout student-athlete at Camas High School, playing four years of varsity. Her athletic honors include guiding the Papermakers to a 4A District Championship, being named All-League, and a participant in the Les Schwab Roundball Shoot All-Star Game and was named the game's most valuable player. The 6-0 center averaged 9.3 points per game, 10 rebounds, 77 percent from the free-throw line and 42 percent from the field. Pringle said, "Haley is a very talented basketball player with a tremendous upside. She has the potential to jump in right away and be an asset to team. Off the court she has great character and is a great student."

A 6-0 center from Eureka, California, Crystal Carpenter joins Simpson after playing two years of college basketball at College of the Redwoods. Previously she played three years of varsity at Saint Bernard's High School where she earned Humboldt-Del Norte (Little 4) all conference honors. Coach Pringle said, "Crystal is an extremely hard worker and a great teammate. We look forward to seeing her grow during the next couple years."
A 5-8 forward from Tacoma, Washington, Melanie Shank joins the Red Hawks after playing four years of varsity at Tacoma Baptist High School. She averaged 18.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 3.6 steals per game. Her athletic honors include being ranked 13th in the state of Washington in scoring. She was named Second Team All-State and 2B Sea Tac - South Player of the Year. She was also named All-Tacoma News Tribune First Team and to Maxpreps.com First Team for the state of Washington. Pringle said, "Melanie is a very smart basketball player with a deadly jump shot. She can play multiple positions and is very aggressive on the defensive end of the court. She has the potential to be a great leader."
 
A 5-8 guard from Freeport, Illinois, Rayneiqua Edwards joins the Red Hawks as a transfer from Idaho State University. She earned honorable mention in high school. Pringle said, "Rayneiqua is an extraordinary athlete who can play several different positions. She has a great passion for the game of basketball. Rayneiqua's leadership skills and college experience will be huge for our program."

A 5-6 guard from Chester, California, Taylor Labosky joins the Red Hawks from Chester High School. She earned All Feather River Conference honors and was named the team's most valuable player. She averaged 14.7 points per game. Pringle said, "Taylor has a great high school career, and we look forward to seeing her have a great college career at Simpson. She is a standout student and athlete."
 
 
 
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