News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2008

COTTEY COLLEGE SIGNS FIVE FROM SPRINGFIELD TO PLAY BASKETBALL

NEVADA, MO—Dave Ketterman, head basketball coach of the Cottey College Comets, is pleased to announce the signing of five players from Springfield, Missouri, for the 2008-09 season. Joining the Comets next season are Kindal Huett and Diamond Hurst from Hillcrest High School, Alex Noble from Kickapoo High School, Amanda Sheets from Central High School, and Rachel Duckworth from Glendale High School.

Kindal Huett

Diamond Hurst

Hurst, a 5’7” point guard, is the daughter of Scotty and Debbie Hurst. A four-year starter, Hurst was All Ozark Conference (two years), All District, and was named to the Ozark All Academic Team. The career leader for the Lady Hornets in assists and steals, Hurst averaged 4.5 points, 3.3 assists, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.6 steals per game. She was the team’s recipient of the Hillcrest Spark Award. Hurst is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, French Club, and maintains a 4.75 GPA.

“Kindal and Diamond are best friends and perfect teammates,” said Ketterman. “They competed successfully in the Ozark Conference (Class 5A) for an outstanding coach, Jeni Hopkins. In their junior season they advanced to the state quarterfinals. These young ladies know how to play the game and know how to make all the intangible plays. They will be a great fit in our motion offense and will have a positive impact on our program immediately.”

Alex Noble

Noble, the daughter of Karen Noble and Ed Noble, is a 5’10” forward. Noble averaged 7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game for the Lady Chiefs. She had a season high 14 points and 13 rebounds against district champion Waynesville. Noble was a three-year starter, and was the team’s leading rebounder her sophomore and junior years. She was an All Ozark Conference Honorable Mention. The Lady Chiefs won three Ozark Conference Championships while Noble was on the team. Noble is on the Principal’s Honor Roll, is a member of the Student Council, and has a 4.3 GPA.

“Alex is a very athletic player who knows how to defend and rebound,” said Ketterman.  “She played in one of the premier high school programs in the state.  She is tough-minded and a fierce competitor and will make us better immediately.”

Amanda Sheets

Amanda Sheets, a 6’2” center, is the daughter of David and Tracy Sheets. Averaging 8.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, Sheets won the Lady Bulldogs Most Improved Player Award as she led her team in blocked shots. She is a three-year varsity letter winner. Sheets will graduate from Central High School with an International Baccalaureate degree, and maintains a 4.0 GPA.

“Amanda will give us an inside presence on offense as well as a post defender and rebounder,” said Ketterman. “With her height she gives us a decided advantage against our region opponents.  I am looking forward to seeing her develop into an accomplished post player.”

Rachel Duckworth

Duckworth, daughter of Susan Duckworth and the late Michael Duckworth, is a 5’10” forward who was team captain for Glendale’s Lady Falcons this past season. A three-year letter winner, Duckworth was the recipient of the Blue Collar Award and the Heart and Soul Award. She had the highest free throw percentage on her team and took the most charges for three years. Of note is the fact that Duckworth has never missed a practice or game in four years. She was named Academic All Ozark Conference. Duckworth has been a member of the National Honor Society for three years, is an FBLA officer, a member of the Character Council, and the World Language Club. She maintains a 4.87 GPA.

“I am really pleased to have Rachel join our program,” said Ketterman. “She is an outstanding all-around athlete and a true blue-collar player. She possesses all the intangibles for becoming a good college player in that she can defend, rebound, and loves to set screens to open up her teammates. She led Glendale in free throw percentage, and we will look to develop her offensive skills to get her to the free throw line. I think she is an excellent fit with the other four signees from Springfield and I look forward to coaching her.”

Cottey College is an independent, two-year women’s college located in Nevada, Missouri, approximately two hours south of Kansas City and one hour north of Joplin, Missouri. Its residential student capacity of 350 typically represents 40 states and 12-14 foreign countries. The College is owned by the P.E.O. Sisterhood, a philanthropic educational organization of approximately 250,000 members, making Cottey the only nonsectarian college in the U.S. owned and supported by women for women. Cottey is a transfer institution offering liberal arts and sciences for women. Ninety-five percent of Cottey College graduates transfer to four-year colleges and universities throughout the United States and around the world.

For more information, contact the Athletic Department at 417-667-8181, ext. 2237.