Women's Basketball | 11/18/2016 7:45:00 AM
ABILENE - Fifth-year head women's basketball coach
Julie Goodenough and her staff recently signed four Texas-based recruits to National Letters of Intent. Forward Alyssa Adams and guards Kayla Galindo, Laura Rowe, and Josie Larson will begin competing for the reigning Southland Conference regular-season champions in time for the 2017-18 season.
Larson and Adams are both entering their senior year together at San Antonio's Johnson High School. Rowe hails from Katy, while Galindo is a product of Riverside High School in El Paso.
"Our staff credits the ACU campus as being one of our greatest recruiting tools," said Goodenough, who earned three Coach of the Year trophies following the Wildcats' 2015-16 season." If we can get prospects on campus, the likelihood that they will become Wildcats increases tremendously. This 2017 class is a prime example of that fact. The signees combined for about a dozen on campus visits, which also included attending our summer camps."
We are excited for this class to join our family and to provide an immediate presence on the court and in the ACU community. They are good students who already embody the core values of our program. We are blessed once again with an incredible class and I consider it a blessing to be their next head coach."
Alyssa Adams | 6-0 | Forward | San Antonio, Texas | Johnson High School | San Antonio's Finest
Key Statistics and Accomplishments
• 16.0 points/game, 11.8 rebounds/game, 3.6 blocks/game, 1.6 steals/game, 42%FG
• 27-8 W-L Record
• TABC All-Region Team
• First Team All-District
• TGCA All-Star Game Selection
Why Abilene Christian?
"Two things stood out to me at ACU. The first was Jacob's Dream and the second was the overall environment. Everyone was so nice, welcoming, and easy to talk to. I felt like I fit in and never felt like that at any other college I visited."
"What attracted me the most to the ACU Women's Basketball program was the coaching staff, the girls, and the fact that they were recruiting my best friend too. The basketball success was just a bonus! The coaching staff is all around nice, caring and comfortable to be around and the players are fun too."
- Alyssa Adams
What they're saying about Alyssa Adams?
"Alyssa is a great athlete with a standard of excellence in everything she does. She strives to be the best she can be not only on the court, but in the classroom as well. She is extremely competitive and is determined to win at all cost. She is a vocal leader on the court and holds her teammates to a high standard as well. Alyssa has an amazing ability to score in transition as well as in the set up game. She is an outstanding rebounder with a knack for out rebounding players that outsize her (due to her jumping ability and determination). She will bring a competitive edge, speed, and heart to ACU's basketball program."
- Stephanie Desmarais, Johnson High School Coach
"I have not recruited two players from the same high school since recruiting Suzzy and Lizzy (DImba), and that actually turned out pretty well for us! It didn't take long in the recruiting process to realize that this duo at Johnson High School could make an immediate impact together for us. They provide a real 1-2 punch with Josie creating shots off the dribble and Alyssa cleaning up the boards. Josie is an elusive ball handler who can get by helpside defenders in a variety of ways to score layups. Alyssa is a big target inside who is also a tremendous rebounder and shot blocker. They already have good chemistry on the court which translates into big time plays."
- Julie Goodenough
Alyssa Adams signs her NLI to play for ACU.
Kayla Galindo | 5-4 | Point Guard | El Paso, Texas | Riverside High School | Team Fusion
Key Statistics and Accomplishments
• 16.2 ppg and 85 precent free throw as a junior at Riverside HS
• 1st Team All District 1-5A as a sophomore at Burges HS
Why Abilene Christian?
"One thing that stood out to me is how beautiful the campus is. It is rare to see my hometown as green as Abilene Christian!"
"The coaching staff was what grasped my attention most. Some coaches have left since I started being recruited (two years ago), but their style of coaching hasn't. All of the coaches encourage their players to do their absolute best on the court and in the classroom. But what set Abilene Christian apart from other colleges for me was how family-oriented the entire program is and how strong their faith is."
- Kayla Galindo
What they're saying about Kayla Galindo?
"Kayla has truly been a blessing to our basketball program and our campus. Kayla is an outstanding student athlete with a remarkable drive to be the very best in everything she sets out to do. Our entire team looks up to her and see her as a role model and aspire to be as competitive as she is in the classroom and on the court. Kayla is a type of player who will give everything she has in practice then go out and give her time and energy to the many community service projects that she is involved in. We have no doubt in our minds that Kayla will be a tremendous asset to her new ACU family. You are receiving a gifted player and a very special human being."
- Stephen Solis, Riverside High School Coach
"We have enjoyed getting to know Kayla over the past few years through camps and following her travel team around the country. Don't let her size fool you! She has developed into a huge playmaker on the court while also being a consistent scoring threat. Her confidence, combined with a high basketball IQ, allow her to be a great floor general in the point guard position."
- Julie Goodenough
Kayla Galindo signs her NLI to play for ACU.
Josie Larson | 5-9 | Guard | San Antonio, Texas | Johnson High School | South Texas Hoyas
Key Statistics and Accomplishments
• 12.7 points/game, 4.1 rebounds/game, 1.6 steals/game
• First Team All-District
• 27-8 W-L Record
• Holds school records in track & field for 4x100m, 4x200m, and 4x400m relays
Why Abilene Christian?
"Everyone on campus is really nice and I love the fact that God is the focus in everything. I love the coaching staff and team! Everyone seemed really close like a family, and that's something I was really looking for."
- Josie Larson
What they're saying about Josie Larson?
"Josie is a very talented and dynamic athlete. She is a person of integrity with a high moral standard. She holds herself to a high standard and is intrinsically motivated. She has an ability to outrun her opponent and get to the basket in transition. She is also an outstanding perimeter player who can shoot the 3 ball, but isn't afraid to attack the seams of a zone and get to the basket. She is a hard worker who always gives 100% in everything she does. Her work ethic and positive attitude are infectious to her teammates. Josie is a model student-athlete who will bring leadership, perseverance, and character to ACU's basketball program."
- Stephanie Desmarais, Johnson High School Coach
"I have not recruited two players from the same high school since recruiting Suzzy and Lizzy (DImba), and that actually turned out pretty well for us! It didn't take long in the recruiting process to realize that this duo at Johnson High School could make an immediate impact together for us. They provide a real 1-2 punch with Josie creating shots off the dribble and Alyssa cleaning up the boards. Josie is an elusive ball handler who can get by helpside defenders in a variety of ways to score layups. Alyssa is a big target inside who is also a tremendous rebounder and shot blocker. They already have good chemistry on the court which translates into big time plays."
- Julie Goodenough
Josei Larson signs her NLI to play for ACU.
Laura Rowe | 5-9 | Guard | Katy, Texas | Katy High School | Club Team: Katy Rebels
Key Statistics and Accomplishments
• All-District Offensive Player of the Year 2015-16
• 20.5 points and 2.3 game in 2015-16
• Led team in off. rebounds & tips 2015-16
• Season high 34 points vs. Lamar (playoff game) to breake the school record
• 2015-16 TABC All-Region Team
Why Abilene Christian?
"The thing that stood out to me the most while I was on my official visit was the people. I loved how everyone was happy and willing to help you out! I love the coaches and how much they care about me and the game. It's a bonus that they will help me in my Christian life and make me a better person off the court!"
- Laura Rowe
What they're saying about Laura Rowe?
"Laura is an outstanding talent and one of the best basketball players to come through Katy High School! She is an offensive force and huge threat on the perimeter as well as in her driving game. She has worked extremely hard to be where she is today. She goes all out in everything we do and her work ethic is something that is never questioned. Laura has grown and matured so much as a player and person over the last four years and I can't wait to watch her play and contribute great things at the college level. I couldn't be more proud of her and I'm so glad she will be under Coach Goodenough's godly leadership the next four years."
- Shanna Marhofer, Katy High School Coach
"We met Laura at our Elite Camp, and immediately noticed her ability to shoot from the 3-point line. Her offensive skill set on the perimeter will fit really well into our offensive style of play. Laura is a tremendous competitor who also understands the importance of being an encouraging and supportive teammate."
- Julie Goodenough
Laura Rowe signs her NLI to play for ACU.
