She’s home safe: Local tells marathon story
April 23, 2013Summerall will forever be the Voice of the NFL
April 23, 2013
Last Wednesday wasn’t Christmas.
But even without Santa, the brightly lit tree and frigid temperatures, it probably felt like Dec. 25 for Nicholls State women’s basketball coach DoBee Plaisance.
After years of fielding rosters devoid of low-post talent and depth, the Colonels received a signed scholarship from 6-foot, 2-inch post player Shay Arnick of Dallas, Texas.
Arnick will join the Colonels after two seasons in the junior college ranks.
She is expected to immediately compete for playing time next year in her junior season.
“Shay is an essential piece to the puzzle that we’re looking to put together to make a strong campaign for a conference championship,” Plaisance said. “We expect big things from her.”
It’s easy to see why Plaisance would be excited about her new center.
Arnick started her collegiate career at Trinity Valley Community College, before moving to Northeast Oklahoma A&M last season.
She averaged 10 points and 7.3 rebounds per game for the Lady Norse.
Out of high school, Arnick was one of the most highly recruited players in Texas.
She was listed as a three-star prospect and averaged 21.6 points and 8.3 rebounds per game as a senior at Dallas Carter High School.
She initially signed with Memphis out of high school, but ended up in the junior college ranks.
Arnick will join forward Elexus Allen, center Marina Lilly and guard Taylor Morrison to round out the team’s 2013 recruiting class.
Plaisance said Arnick would be a nice fit to the Colonels’ 2013-14 roster, which only loses All-Conference forward Alisha Allen from last year’s mix.
“She 100 percent complements our returning players as well as out newcomers,” Plaisance said. “In addition to her athletic ability, she is a great person. She’s very family oriented and defines what it means to be a student-athlete.”
While the Nicholls women celebrated their three-star gem, the LSU men hauled in a three-star prospect of its own.
Baton Rouge forward Brian Bridgewater inked with the Tigers after receiving offers from Arizona, Baylor, Marquette, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.
The 6-foot, 6-inch, 220-pound power forward lands at LSU as one of the most highly sought after players in Louisiana.
Bridgewater was the MVP of the LHSAA’s Top 28 State Championship Tournament this season – leading Scotlandville to the Class 5A State Title.
In his team’s 80-71 overtime win against Ouachita in the finals, Bridgewater had 24 points and 13 rebounds.
Jones said he expects Bridgewater to play multiple positions for the Tigers.
“With his versatility because of his size and strength, his ability to play inside and out will be an added dimension that will allow us flexibility on both ends of the floor,” LSU men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones said. “It is always great to get student-athletes from championship-caliber programs.”
Bridgewater lands at LSU with a purple and gold pedigree.
His older brother Brad Bridgewater played for the Tigers in the late 1990s and early 2000s, contributing on two NCAA Tournament teams and two NIT teams.
“He is a part of a wonderful family,” Jones said.
At LSU, Bridgewater will be one cog in arguably the best recruiting class in the past two decades in Baton Rouge.
The Scotlandville star will join McDonald’s All-American and five-star forward Jarell Martin and four-star prospects Tim Quarterman and Jordan Mickey in what is being heralded as one of the top recruiting classes in America.
While Jones and the LSU men build their program, LSU women’s basketball coach Nikki Caldwell dipped into East Asia to bring home a new player.
The Lady Tigers received a signed National Letter of Intent from Japanese point guard Rina Hill from Nagoya-Shi, Japan.
Hill stands 5 feet, 7 inches and lands with LSU after a standout career at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
While there, she helped the team to a 38-8 record.
Hill was also a member of the Japanese U18 National Team, which posted a second place finish at the Asian World Championships.
She will be the second international player on the Tigers’ roster, joining Denmark guard Anne Pedersen.
Caldwell said Hill will fit in nicely and be a valuable addition to a recruiting class that is already considered as one of the best in the SEC.
“Rina will bring great leadership to our team,” Caldwell said. “She is also a student of the game. She is a hard-working player with outstanding court vision.”
