Lady Keelhaulers Announce Recruiting Class

With the 2011-12 season coming to an end after a successful run, California Maritime Academy's head women's basketball coach Dave Covell faced the daunting task of replacing the seven seniors that led them into the championship game of the Cal Pac tournament. Today's announcement of nine high quality student-athletes joining the program allows for great optimism that the Keelhaulers can continue the success of the program. The class includes three high school student-athletes and six transfer students.

Chico High School's Jordan Mootz led the Wildcats to the Northern Section championship game where she scored thirty points and grabbed fifteen rebounds. During her senior year, Jordan averaged 12.7 points per game and grabbed 5.8 rebounds per game. "Jordan has a very high basketball IQ and a great feel for the game as a whole. We are excited about her ability to post up as well as shooting from behind the arc," Coach Covell commented.

Sarah McDonald joins Cal Maritime from Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego. Sarah helped lead the Dons to 3 playoff appearances with her defensive pressure and solid play at the guard spot. "With Sarah's defensive intensity and ability to guard multiple positions, we are thrilled to have her," Coach Covell said.

Sheldon High School's Kedina Monroe committed to California Maritime Academy after a standout prep career. She averaged 11.2 points and 8.1 rebounds as a junior. While an injury plagued season limited her play for her senior year, Monroe still averaged 10 points per game. Coach Covell stated, "We are excited to add such a talented player that can be a scoring threat as well as a dominant force on the boards. Kedina has a good mid range game and will fit in well with our style of play."

Tatjana Pitts will bring strength and a solid post presence to the Keelhaulers front line. Pitts comes to Maritime from Las Positas College where she averaged 13.7 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Coach Covell commented, "Tatjana will bring a strong post presence that can help us compete for our first title at Cal Maritime."

Mariah Ward also comes to Cal Maritime from Las Positas College, where she played both the point and shooting guard positions. Ward averaged 8.9 points, 3.3 assists and stole the ball 2.2 times per game while shooting 30% from behind the 3 point line. "Mariah has the ability to stretch the floor as well as attack the paint and get her teammates involved. We will look to Mariah's contributions as a solid combo guard," stated Coach Covell

Jordan Price joins the Keelhaulers after taking a year off from school. Prior to her year off, Jordan averaged 14.7 points and grabbed 6.8 rebounds per game for Napa Valley College. "Jordan has the ability to play with her back to the basket as well as extend out and make perimeter shots, which makes her a great fit for our offensive system," Coach Covell said.

Julia Tani is an outstanding shooter from Citrus College where she hit on 37% of her three point shots. She averaged 9.4 points per game as a starter for Citrus College. Prior to Citrus College, Julia played one season at Western New Mexico University. "Julia's ability to hit the open shot as well as having the ability to attack the rim is key to what we are trying to do as a team," Coach Covell commented.

Sarah Guerrero transfers to Cal Maritime from Northern New Mexico where she redshirted for a season. Prior to her time at Northern New Mexico, Sarah helped Southwestern College to a 19 win season with her 4.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. "Sarah ability to attack the rim and shoot the mid range shot will make for some very good match ups for us at her position," Coach Covell said.

Shante Sands led Laney College to two conference titles from the point guard position. While at Laney, Sands guided her team to 19 and 23 win seasons respectably. She also averaged 9.9 points and 3.3 assists per game. "We are excited about getting a player of Shante's caliber at the point. She is a leader on and off the court," stated Coach Covell.

Upon completing Cal Maritime's recruiting class, Covell concluded, "It is always hard to lose so many high quality people to graduation. However, it makes us so proud to see our players walk across the stage. With the addition of these student-athletes, it will make the transition of so many new faces easier as a program. We are excited as a staff to have such good student-athletes coming in and returning for the upcoming year. All of these student-athletes have proven themselves in the classroom as well as on the court."