University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville Women's Basketball Inks Three
04.22.2010 | Women's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - UNC Asheville women's basketball coach Betsy Blose has announced the signing of three players to national letters-of-intent for the 2010-11 season. The three are 5-9 guard Brittney Bowser from Oak Hill Academy, 6-1 forward Blake Cokes from Trotwood-Madison HS in Ohio and 6-4 center Abra Sickles of Mercer County HS in Kentucky.
"All three spring signees are high-quality students and people," stated Blose. "They are disciplined and committed to becoming the best they can be as students and as athletes. I'm looking forward to being around these three young ladies for the next four years."
Bowser, a native of Roanoke Rapids, N.C., played for two years at Oak Hill. This past season she averaged 10 points, three assists, three steals and shot 42 percent from the three-point line. Bowser helped lead Oak Hill to a 23-4 record as it played a national schedule. The Warriors were ranked 10th in the Eastern Region this year by ESPN and advanced to the ESPN Rise National Championship game.
"Brittney has the ability to score in a lot of different ways as she can penetrate, shoot the three-pointer and make things happen when the ball is in her hands," declared Blose. "She is also a tenacious defender. Her experience as a player at Oak Hill Academy the last two years has prepared her for the college game."
Cokes is a native of Dayton, Ohio. She enjoyed a solid year at Trotwood-Madison this past season as she averaged 10 points and eight rebounds per game. In addition, Cokes played for the well-known Cincinnati Finest AAU program.
"Blake is an athletic post player who can run the floor," explained Blose. "Her ability to run the floor allows her to be involved in every play. She can shoot and score with either hand around the basket. Blake will bring athleticism and a physical presence in the paint for the Bulldogs next year."
Sickles is from Harrodsburg, Ky. She averaged 11 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots per game for Mercer County this past season. Sickles earned first team All-Area honors along with All-District and All-Region accolades. She is just the second player in school history to receive a Division I scholarship.
"Abra will add a whole new dimension to our team with her size," commented Blose. "She will be a true low-post threat and will give us some size and strength defensively in the paint. The best part of Abra is she is only going to get better. She is a dedicated and committed young woman."
