Simpson University Women’s Basketball Signs 11 for 2014-2015
For Immediate Release
06.09.2014
REDDING, Calif. - The Simpson University women’s basketball program announces the signing of 11 student-athletes for the 2014-2015 season: Florentina Mendoza (Sacramento), Emma Peterson (Grass Valley), Chelsie Baham (Rancho Cucamongo), DeAjanae Conic (Oakland), Mercedes Brown (Fontana), Erin Selleck (Grass Valley), Fallon Greenhaw (Anderson), Emma Limburg (Chico), Aubrea Pearson (Redding), Katelyn Brandler (Rancho Cucamongo), Brook Blaisdell (Central Point, Ore.).
"We are extremely excited about this year’s recruiting class,” said head women’s basketball coach Derrick Pringle Jr. “We have several players that we feel we can build around for the next four years. We also have some talented transfers that will fill some of our holes immediately. This group brings an excellence in the classroom as well as excellence on the court. We are truly blessed to have each of them and can't wait to work with them this summer and fall."
Mendoza is a junior guard who is transferring to Simpson from Our Lady of the Lakes College. She earned President’s highest honors and Pacific Coast Athletic Conference (PCAC) academic honors. She was named to the all-tournament team at Cypress Junior College and was on Palomar College’s PCAC championship team during the 2012-2013 season. She plans to major in psychology.
“The campus and people were very welcoming,” Mendoza said of Simpson University. “The counselors and teachers I met were also helpful. The teammates and the coach made it easy to choose this school to attend.”
Peterson is a freshman guard from Nevada Union High School. She was a scholar-athlete from 2010-2014. She earned second team all-league honors in 2013 and first team all-league and Best Defensive Player in 2014. She was chosen for the 2014 Optimistic Team. She plans to major in biology.
“I chose Simpson because I loved their basketball program,” Peterson said. “Everyone there is kind and caring and I want to become a part of that.”
Baham is a freshman guard who graduated cum laude from Rancho Cucamongo High School. She was on the principal’s honor roll for seven semesters and was a four-year scholar-athlete. She won the Best of the West All-Tournament MVP award. She plans to major in communication.
“I chose Simpson because it is a Christian school and fits everything that I am looking for as far as my education,” Baham said. “It's not too far from home but also not too close. I love the environment of the school, the people, and I get the opportunity to play a sport that I love there while putting God number one as I do it.”
Conic is a junior forward transferring to Simpson from Ohlone Junior College. She plans to major in psychology. “I chose Simpson because of the basketball program and school overall,” she said. “The day of my visit made me feel welcomed and loved, and that's what I'm all about. The staff is great and the team is amazing, and I know I will fit in perfectly with Simpson and all it has to over.”
Brown is a freshman guard who attended Summit and Kaiser high schools. During her sophomore year, her team won the CIF Championship. During her junior year, she was assistant captain and earned team MVP honors. She also helped lead her team to its first league championship. Her senior year, she was team captain and earned MVP and San Bernardino County All-Star team honors. She maintained 3.7 GPA and took honors and AP courses. She received the Renaissance Award her junior and senior years and the BSU Student Academic Award.
Selleck is a freshman guard from Nevada Union High School where she was a member of the Humanities Academy for three years and maintained a 3.8 GPA. She received first team all-league honors her senior year, and her team won the league championship her junior and senior years.
“I chose Simpson University because I feel that the level of play, team, and coaching staff are a perfect fit for me,” Selleck said. “I know that being a Lady Red Hawk will help me to become a better player and person. I'm also ready to be challenged academically so I will be well prepared for my future career.”
Greenhaw is a freshman wing from Anderson High School. She maintained above a 4.2 GPA throughout high school, was recognized as a graduate with distinction, is a lifetime California Scholastic Federation member, and graduated third in her class. She played three sports, including basketball. She was an eight-time all-league selection (three times for basketball) and a six-time team captain (two years for basketball). She was second in the state her junior year for charges taken. She plans to major in biology.
“I chose to play at Simpson because I wanted to be in a religious environment while playing, and I really liked Coach Pringle’s philosophy of the game,” Greenhaw said.
Limburg is a junior guard transferring to Simpson from Shasta College. She was team captain her senior year of high school and at Shasta. She earned honorable mention honors and averaged 12 points and four assists in college. She plans to major in psychology.
“I chose to come Simpson because it is close to home and the girls were welcoming,” Limburg said. “I felt acquainted with the way coach coaches his team and how he is always trying to make time to make us better individually and together as a team.”
Pearson is a junior guard transferring to Simpson from Shasta College, where she averaged 11.7 points per game and shot 30 percent from the three-point line and 41 percent from field goal range. She earned Golden Valley all-conference honors her sophomore year at Shasta. She attended Foothill High School in Palo Cedro and graduated with a 3.8 GPA.
Brandler is a freshman forward from Rancho Cucamongo High School, where she took AP classes and was on the principal’s honor roll. She led the Baseline League in blocks for four years and free throws for two years. She earned honorable mention honors four times and was a four-year varsity starter.
“I chose Simpson because it not only gives me a chance to do what I love, but it also gives me an opportunity to strengthen and improve my faith as a Christian,” Brandler said.
Blaisdell is a sophomore forward returning to Simpson after sitting out for two years. She played for the Red Hawks in 2011-2012. She attended Center High School and received Southern Oregon Hybrid All-Conference honorable mention honors.
"Simpson is a great Christian university and will allow me to grow spiritually as well as academically and athletically,” Blaisdell said. “Being able to be a part of the women's basketball team is an honor, and I am very excited about playing for Coach Pringle."
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Simpson University is a Christian university offering undergraduate, graduate, and teaching credential programs. Academic programs include ASPIRE, a degree-completion program geared toward working adults in the north state. Simpson’s newest programs include bachelor's degrees in Spanish and nursing, and master’s degrees in counseling psychology and organizational leadership. Learn about our new Science & Nursing Building at simpsonu.edu/snbuilding. For information about the university, or to arrange a campus visit, call 1-888-9-SIMPSON or visit simpsonu.edu.
Contact: SU Public Relations
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