WBB: Pride and Storm ink two for next year
Jamaica - April 27, 2012: Joe Tartamella announced as the new St. John's Women's basketball coach. (Photo by Patrick E. McCarthy) Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
Local women’s hoops team have already gotten a jump on next season as both Hofstra and St. John’s announced NLI signings in the early recruitment period. Athletes can sign NLIs from November 14 through November 21.
Hofstra coach Krista Kilburn-Steveskey announced the signings of guards Krystal Luciano and Kelly Loftus. Both guards will join the Pride for the 2013-2014 season.
In addition to being a standout for her high school team (Colegio, San Antonio), Luciano has international experience. She played for the Puerto Rican national team and averaged 7.4 points, 3 assists and 4.2 rebounds in the FIBA Under 18 Tournament. The 5-5 guard averaged 8 points and 6.6 assists in the Centrobasket U17 championship.
Loftus averaged 14.7 points, 4.5 steals and 3 assists per game for Mount Vernon High School in Alexandra, Va.
The Red Storm’s second signing was 6-1 Jade Walker from DePaul Catholic in Maplewood, NJ. The combo wing player, also a top 100 ESPN recruit, averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds for DePaul last season.
