Southeast Missouri State women's basketball coach excited about signing of four prep players

Southeast Missouri State women's basketball coach Ty Margenthaler and his staff still plan to sign two more players in the spring.

But the Redhawks took care of the bulk of their 2013-14 recruiting class by landing four high school seniors during the NCAA's weeklong early signing period that began Wednesday.

Margenthaler said he couldn't be happier after all the paperwork from the four players was approved Thursday.

Signing with the Redhawks were Blue Valley (Kan.) 6-foot-1 forward Bailey Geiman, Columbia (Mo.) Hickman 5-9 combo guard Jade Holly, Highland (Mo.) 5-7 guard Ashton Luttrull and Germantown (Tenn.) 5-6 point guard Brianna Mitchell.

"I'm really excited about these four players. I feel like we were able to take care of some needs during the early signing period," Margenthaler said. "These four players will help us as we move forward and continue to build our program."

Geiman averaged about 10 points and four rebounds last season for a team that finished as the Kansas Class 5A runner-up for the second consecutive year. Geiman, an all-stater, was tabbed a three-star recruit by ESPN HoopGurlz, which rated her 82nd nationally among forward prospects.

"Bailey fills a need for us with two seniors [Brittany Harriel and Courtney Shiffer] graduating in the post this year," Margenthaler said. "She is strong and physical, can defend the post, score on the block and step out and hit shots from outside."

Holly, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL, averaged 13.4 points as a sophomore. She also missed her freshman year due to an injury.

"Jade is a very talented girl. She was ranked in the top 50 nationally as a freshman, but suffered some injuries," Margenthaler said. "We are getting a talented player with a high basketball IQ. She can score the ball while playing the wing and the point."

Luttrull averaged 20.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists last year to earn all-state honors.

"Ashton is a very competitive player. She is a great shooter who can really fill it up from long range and knock down shots off the dribble as well," Margenthaler said.

Mitchell, one of the top players in the Memphis area, averaged 16.6 points, 3.5 assist, 3.9 steals and 2.4 rebounds last season. She has already scored more than 1,000 career points.

"We felt point guard was a position we needed to continue getting stronger at considering Jordan [Hunter] will be a senior next year," Margenthaler said. "Brianna brings athleticism to the table. She can score the ball and will be a bright asset defensively as well."