Women's Basketball 11/17/2014 3:01:00 PM

Women's Basketball Announces Fall Signing Class

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – The Truman Women's Basketball team has inked four high school student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent during the November signing period.

Joining the Bulldogs will be Mary Barton from St. Louis, Missouri (St. Joseph's Academy), Bethany Daniels from Buffalo, Illinois (Tri-City HS), Rachel Edmundson from Eldridge, Iowa (North Scott HS) and Mackenzie Jerks from Green Bay, Wisconsin (Bay Port HS).

"We are extremely excited with our recruiting class and to have Rachel, Mary, Mackenzie, and Bethany joining our family here at Truman," said Coach Eagan. "All four of them value education, family, and hard work, which make them great fits to our program and philosophy. I am extremely excited, thankful, and blessed that all four are joining our Bulldog family."

Mary Barton has been to the final four the past two seasons in Missouri's largest class (Class 5) as a member of the Saint Joseph's Academy Angles. Barton scored 17 points in the third place game last March. She averaged 13.4 points per game as a junior, shooting 54% from the field and 45% from outside. The year before, Barton's team was the state runner-up as she scored seven points in 45-38 loss to Columbia's Rock Bridge High School.

"I fell in love with Mary's game the first time I saw her play during her sophomore summer, "said Coach Eagan. "She is a true point guard that is not only a great playmaker, but a scorer as well. She is very basketball savvy and will no doubt be a crowd favorite to watch. She comes from a basketball family and really understands the game and what it takes to win championships. She has already led her high school team to back to back state tournaments. She is a great fit for how we play and what we value."

Bethany Daniels is a two-time all-conference pick entering her senior season. She was a first-team selection as a junior following an honorable mention her sophomore season for the Tri-City Tornadoes. She was named to both the Tri-City Holiday and Sangamon County tournament teams. Daniels has been a four year starter on the volleyball team and ran track for a season.

"Bethany will immediately add needed size and depth to our five position," said Eagan. "She has already had an outstanding high school career, averaging 15 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks a game as a junior. Bethany has a great motor and desire to grow her game. She is a kid that, I feel, still has her best basketball ahead of her. She is a great fit for how we play and what we value."

Rachel Edmundson has been a two-year starter entering her senior season at North Scott High School. Her Lancers were Iowa State Tournament qualifier last year with a 16-8 record. She was a third-team Des Moines Register All-State selection and an all-District pick and a second-team all-Mississippi Athletic Conference. Edmundson was a two-year starter and captain on the Lancers Volleyball team and as a member of the track team, broke the school record as part of the Shuttle Hurdle relay team, qualifying for the state meet.

"Rachel was our first early commitment and a kid I knew we needed to go get after I saw her play the first time. At 6'0, Rachel can do a little of everything from shooting the three to posting with her back to the basket. On top of all of that Rachel has a very infectious personality from the way she carries herself on the floor to how she handles her teammates. I love her passion, drive, and desire to win. She helped lead her HS team to the state tournament last season and will bring that championship mentality to our program. She is a great fit for how we play and what we value."

Mackenzie Jerks is a two-sport standout at Bay Port High School near Green Bay, Wisconsin. Jerks was the team leader in assists for basketball and has been a starter the past three seasons. She was the team's most valuable player on the Volleyball squad and earned all-conference honorable mention.

"We knew Mackenzie had talent, but once we had her visit, worked her out and got to know her, we knew she was a kid that we had to find a way to get. Her athleticism coupled with her skill level already make her an impact kid in our system. Mackenzie has a desire to be great and it is definitely shown through her work ethic. I expect her to transition quickly into our program. She is a great fit for how we play and what we value."

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