Hawkeyes Pen Five top Prep Athletes

Nov. 14, 2007

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IOWA CITY — University of Iowa Women’s Basketball Coach Lisa Bluder announced today that Hannah Draxten, Shante Jones, Kelly Krei, Tia Mays and Kamille Wahlin have signed National Letters of Intent to attend the University of Iowa.

“This is a large balanced class that covers every position,” said Bluder. “We are proud to sign two Iowa student-athletes, two of Minnesota’s top recruits and an outstanding player from Ohio.”

Draxten, a 6-0 wing player, has been a varsity starter since eighth grade, starting in 104 consecutive games for Fergus Falls High School in Minnesota. She has been the team’s leading scorer all four years. A two-year team captain, Draxten holds the all-time Fergus Falls High School records (boys and girls) for scoring (1,830) and rebounding (755). She has averaged 17.6 points and 7.3 rebounds over her career. Draxten is a two-time Class 3A first team all-state and all-conference honoree. The native of Fergus Falls, MN, holds school single-game records in scoring (36), 3-pointers made (8), free throws (16-16, 1.000), single-season scoring (562), rebounding (255) and 3-pointers made (60). Draxten, who boasts a 3.98 GPA and is National Honor Society member, has already been accepted into the University of Iowa Honors program in pre-business for 2008.

“Hannah is a big guard who is fundamentally strong,” said Bluder. “She works incredibly hard on the defensive end and has a beautiful pull-up jumper.”

Wahlin, a native of Crookston, MN, is a 5-8 left-handed point guard who averaged 19.9 points for her Crookston High School basketball team that went 24-3 a year ago. She boasts career averages of 16.5 ppg, 4.8 apg and 3.0 spg. Wahlin established school records in scoring, assists, steals and field goals. Her team finished second in the Minnesota state tournament her sophomore campaign, where she was recognized on the all-tournament squad. She was tabbed Minnesota Coaches Association All-State and was her team’s MVP the last two seasons. Wahlin sank 47 consecutive free throws last year. A third-year captain, she boasts a 4.0 GPA and is a National Honor Society member. She also lettered in track and was a state qualifier in the 400 meters and 4×400 relay. Wahlin played on the same AAU team (North Tartan Larson) as Draxten this past summer.

“Kamille has great quickness, plays tenacious defense and can score in a variety of ways,” Bluder said. “Kamille reminds me a lot of Kristi Smith, in that she is a scoring point guard.”

Krei, a native of Iowa City, has averaged 17.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.1 assists the last three years for City High. She was a first team all-state honoree her freshman and junior years and was a second team selection as a sophomore. Krei is a three-time first team all-conference, all-district and all-area honoree. A two-time team captain, she is a National Honor Society member. Krei also lettered in track and soccer. She was named the 2007 Mississippi Valley Conference Player of the Year in basketball and track. Krei currently holds the City High record in the 400 meters and sprint medley. The 6-2 forward also competed on the IBCA Select 1 Basketball Team the last two seasons. She was named to the Iowa State AAU all-Tournament team twice, including being named MVP last season.

“Kelly is a versatile player from our hometown,” said Bluder. “She can play facing the basket or with her back to it. Kelly has great quickness and ability to run the transition game.”

Mays, a native of Des Moines, is a four-year starter for Des Moines East High School. She was a pre-season Street & Smith’s honorable mention all-American in 2006. Last season as a junior, she was an all-state, all-conference and all-district performer. A second-year captain, she helped lead her team to a school-best 19-5 record and a berth to the Girls State Tournament. A 6-1 forward, she led the Lady Scarlets in points (15 ppg), rebounds (10 rpg), blocks (4 bpg) and field goal percentage (63%). Mays also lettered in volleyball and track and field. She has received academic letters for her academic excellence and was selected as a National Youth Council and Leadership representative for East High School. Mays also competed with The All Iowa Attack AAU program this past summer and played with The Iowa Elite squad for two years.

“Tia is a terrific inside player from our home state,” Bluder said. “She is strong and physical and has potential to be a dominant force inside.”

Jones is a 5-9 guard/forward from Dayton, OH. Jones played her first two years at Stivers School for the Arts and competed for Carroll High School last season. She averaged 17.8 points her junior year and was tabbed first team all-league and second team all-conference, all-district and all-southwest. Jones was named MVP of the Cage Classic and Carroll High School her junior season. She was selected first team all-league, all-conference and all-district her sophomore campaign. Jones was the highest scorer in the area her sophomore year (28.0 ppg) and named Stivers High School MVP.

“Shante is an athletic guard who can penetrate and handle the ball,” said Bluder. “She’s another player that loves to play defense.”

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