July 30, 2010

LONG BEACH - The Long Beach State women's basketball team recently completed its 2010 recruiting class. Ella Clark, Janae Coffee, Chantel Dooley, Brandi Henton, Jhakia McDonald, Alex Sanchez and Sendy Valles will join the 49ers for the 2010-11 season. Below is a look at the incoming group.

Ella Clark, Fr., Forward, 6-3, London, England (Barking Abbey School)
Member of the England youth national team since 2006 ... Tabbed the 2009 U-18 English Player of the Year ... Plays for the Haringey Angels, which won the U-18 club champioinships ... Also represented England at the U-21 World Netball Championships in 2008 and 2009.

"We are very excited Ella has decided to study and play here at The Beach," 49er head coach Jody Wynn said. "She comes to us with a wealth of experience playing at the highest national team levels in England. She is a very versatile player that shoots the three and uses her 6-foot-8 wingspan to be a great shot blocker and rebounder."

Janae Coffee, Fr., Center, 6-3, Fresno, Calif. (Clovis West HS)
Garnered all-state honors as a junior and senior ... Led Clovis West to four league championships and three Central Section Division I titles ... Averaged 16.6 points, 12.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game in 2009-10 ... Three-time all-city and all-league selection.

"Janae is strong and has great hands and good feet as well," Wynn said. "She is somebody who can score with her back to the basket in the low block area and is a presence inside, which is something we definitely need. She will compete for immediate playing time."

Chantel Dooley, Fr., Guard, 5-8, Northridge, Calif. (Montclair Prep HS)
Two-time first-team All-CIF and first-team All-Olympic League selection ... Led Montclair Prep to the CIF Southern Section Division V championship game as a senior ... Averaged a double-double with 16.4 points and 10.0 rebounds per game ... Played for Club Swoosh, one of the top club programs in California.

"Chantel can play either guard spot," Wynn said. "She is a terrific athlete who can use her long arms to defend 94 feet. She can shoot the three and defend any perimeter position. She is just a terrific kid and we are excited to have her as part of our program."

Brandi Henton, Fr., Guard, 5-7, Modesto, Calif. (Modesto Christian HS)
Guided Modesto Christian High School to three Sac-Joaquin Division IV championships and four Trans Valley League titles ... Tabbed the CIF Division IV Player of the Year as a senior ... Also garnered all-state, All-CIF and all-league honors ... Three-time Trans Valley League MVP ... A McDonald's All-America nominee.

"Brandi is a very quick, fast and athletic combo guard," Wynn said. "She can stretch the defense with her 3-point shooting ability and at the same time, she is just a great athlete. She is a kid who is constantly in the gym and loves the game of basketball. She will definitely make an immediate impact on our program."

Jhakia McDonald, So., Guard, 5-8, Anaheim, Calif. (Fullerton College)
Played one year at Fullerton College ... Led the Hornets to an Orange Empire Conference title and an appearance in the state championship game ... Was a highly touted recruit out of Magnolia High School ... Two-time league MVP and four-time all-league selection ... Also garnered all-state honors three times.

"Jhakia is an experienced point guard with good court vision and she also has the ability to stretch the defense with her shooting," Wynn said.

Alex Sanchez, Fr., Guard, 5-10, Anaheim, Calif. (Troy HS)
Led Troy High School to four consecutive league titles ... Two-time first-team all-state player and first-team All-CIF selection ... Garnered first-team all-league honors three years in a row ... Tabbed the 2010 Freeway League MVP ... Averaged 14.7 points and 6.8 rebounds as a senior ... Played AAU basketball for California Swish.

"Alex is a cerebral, multi-dimensional guard who is an excellent passer and 3-point shooter," Wynn said. "She knows how to win and will bring that leadership with her to our program."

Sendy Valles, Fr., Guard, 6-0, Milliken, Colo. (Highlands Ranch HS)
Played three years at Roosevelt High School before transferring to Highlands Ranch High School her senior year ... Four-time all-state, all-area and all-league selection ... Also tabbed the area and league MVP three years in a row ... Left Roosevelt HS as the all-time leader in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots ... Also lettered three years in volleyball and track.

"We are thrilled about the addition of Sendy Valles to our Beach family," Wynn said. "She is a very versatile player and a fierce competitor who will bring toughness to the court."