Nov. 10, 2005
Normal, Ill. -
Oak Park River Forest forward Ashleen Bracey and Washington guard Maggie Krick have signed National Letters of Intent for basketball at Illinois State University. The two Illinois prep stars continue the "Illinois First" recruiting philosophy demonstrated by third-year ISU head coach Robin Pingeton--13 of Pingeton's 14 recruits have been from the Redbirds' home state and the 14th is from just 40 miles north of Illinois in Wisconsin.
The 6-foot Bracey comes from a basketball family--older brothers Bryan, who played at Oregon, and Christopher, who played at West Texas A&M, both have played professional basketball overseas. She is a two-time all-West Suburban Conference selection who led OPRV to an 18-12 record last season.
Krick is a 5-foot-11, two-time Illinois Basketball Coaches Association All-State selection who has led Washington High School to a 56-26 record in three seasons as a varsity starter. Last year, she averaged 18 points, five assists, five rebounds and three steals while leading Washington to a 22-6 record.
"Ashleen and Maggie are winners who have a passion to play, that understand the importance of team, and are self-motivated," said Pingeton. "They understand our vision and expectations for the program, and are very excited to help us continue building the Illinois State program into something very special. These student-athletes are a class act."
According to Pingeton, location does make a difference.
"They are both from the state of Illinois and that has been very important to our recruiting efforts," said Pingeton. "My staff and I are committed to this state and the core of our recruiting needs to come from within. There is so much talent in Illinois and so many great high school and AAU programs that it would be a shame not to recruit from within Illinois."
2005 ILLINOIS STATE BASKETBALL SIGNEES
• Ashleen Bracey, F, 6-0, Oak Park, Ill. (Oak Park River Forest)
• Maggie Krick, G, 5-11, Washington, Ill. (Washington HS)
2005 Illinois State Basketball Recruit Information
• ASHLEEN BRACEY, 6-0, Fr., F
Oak Park, Ill.
Oak Park River Forest High School
• BRACEY NOTES: 2004 and 2005 All-West Suburban Conference ... six-time all-tournament selection in first two varsity seasons ... team Most Valuable Player in junior season (2004-05) ... led team to 18-12 record and third place in West Suburban Silver Division ... averaged 13.6 points, 8 rebounds, 1.2 block per game in 2004-05 ... averaged 7.7 point, 7.7 rebounds in 2003-04 ... prep basketball coach is Adrian Newell ... played AAU basketball for Chicago Hoops Express, the same program as current Redbird players Tiffany Hudson and Lashawn Johnson ... daughter of Peggy Bracey, with brothers Bryan (who played college basketball at Oregon and professionally in Greece) and Christopher (who played college basketball at West Texas A&M and professionally in France) and sister Natalie ... plans to major in criminal justice ... honor roll each year ... full name is Ashleen Margaret Bracey, born March 29, 1988.
• QUOTING ASHLEEN: "Illinois State fits my style of play. The fast pace fits the style I like to play. I'm glad to be just a couple of hours from home so my family can see me play. Redbird Arena is the nicest arena. It's big-time. Coach P decided I might be a better fit as a No. 3 than a No. 4, but I want to get better at outside shooting and defense so that I can be that kind of player. It's a pretty campus. The fact that you can get from one place to another in about 15 minutes is great."
• Coach Robin Pingeton on Ashleen:
"I guess the best way to describe Ashleen on the court is as a 'miniature Charles Barkley.' She is a bit undersized but has long arms, athleticism, and strength. She comes from a very athletic family with two of her brothers being late bloomers and now playing professional basketball. Ashleen possess many of the intangibles that are tough to teach - she has great court sense and an uncanny ability to get shots off ."
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• MAGGIE KRICK, 5-11, Fr., G
Washington, Ill.
Washington HS, Washington, Ill.
• KRICK NOTES: 2005 Third Team All-State by Illinois Basketball Coaches Association ... 2004 Fourth Team All-State by Illinois Basketball Coaches Association ... 2003, 2004 and 2005 team Most Valuable Player ... three-time Peoria Journal-Star and Pekin Times all-area selection ... averaged 18 points per game each of first three prep seasons, with five assists, five rebounds and three steals per game in 2004-05 ... prep coach is Randy Marchand ... played AAU basketball for Pizzazz, a Bloomington-Normal based program ... daughter of Dave and SuAnne Krick, with sisters Taylor and Abbey ... her mom is an Illinois State alum; her dad played basketball at Ililnois Wesleyan, where he was a teammate of NBA star Jack Sikma ... plans to major in education and become a teacher and coach ... full name is Maggie L. Krick, born Oct. 28, 1987.
• QUOTING MAGGIE: "I love Redbird Arena. I was on my unofficial visit the day the new weight room (Richard and Fran Owen Center) opened and it's fantastic. The Illinois State style suits me. I'm a 'push the ball' kind of player. I like the fact that Coach P is turning the ISU program around and she has all the confidence in the world in her players. The fact that ISU is close to my home, has a great campus and the major I want make it a great fit."
• Coach Robin Pingeton on Maggie:
"Maggie is one of the elite players in Central Illinois. She has tremendous court awareness and can do a little bit of everything--pass, shoot, rebound. She has a great understanding of the game and is a very unselfish player. She has been a high-scoring player for her team in her freshman, sophomore and junior years. She is an excellent student and very involved in school and community activities."
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