Women's Basketball | 11/14/2018 12:05:00 PM
MOORHEAD, Minn. — Minnesota State University Moorhead women's basketball coach
Karla Nelson has announced the signing of three recruits for the 2019-20 season. Signing National Letters of Intent for the Dragons are Mariah McKeever of Ada, Minn., Gabby Ritchie of Prairie du Chien, Wis., and Katie Tornstrom of Caledonia, Minn.
"Our 2019 recruiting class includes three hard-working individuals who have been extremely successful in the classroom and in every sport they have ever played. They each have a special skill set on the floor that will help strengthen next year's roster," Nelson said. "We all have been waiting with much anticipation for today and we are more than happy that Mariah, Gabby, and Katie chose to be a part of our Dragon family."
McKeever is a 5-foot-7 guard from Ada-Borup High School. She has scored more than 1,300 career points and was an all-state selection last season. McKeever is a three-time all-conference selection and averaged 16 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 steals per game. McKeever has played for the Minnesota Fury AAU team for six years.
"Mariah is a combo guard who brings a tremendous work ethic to the gym every day," Nelson said. "That is going to fit right into our program and we are excited about the grittiness to her game. Defensively, you will see Mariah create a lot of problems because she works so hard. Her willingness to work will help her throughout her college career."
Ritchie is a 6-foot-2 forward from Prairie du Chien High School. She is a two-time all-conference selection in basketball and a four-year letter winner. She has played for the AAU Hoop Stars team for five years.
"Gabby is post player who can play with her back to the basket and stretch the defense with her outside shooting," Nelson said. "We love her size, which will be an added dimension to our post game. We look forward to coaching her up and seeing her grow within our program."
Tornstrom is a 5-foot-10 guard from Caledonia High School. She was all-conference in 2017-18 after earning all-conference honorable mention honors the previous two seasons. She has scored more than 1,000 career points. Last season she averaged 15.0 points, 3.5 assists and 7.0 rebounds per game.
"Plain and simple, Katie is a basketball player. She has a great sense for the game and can absolutely score the basketball in a variety of ways," Nelson said. "She brings a ton of positive attributes to both ends of the floor. Her teammates are going to love playing with her and our staff is going to enjoy coaching her every day."
