Four Top Recruits Sign with Maryland Women's Basketball
11/12/2003 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 12, 2003
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland head women's basketball coach Brenda Frese spent a lot of time on the recruiting trail this summer and the effort has paid off. Regarded as one of the top recruiting coaches in the country, she nabbed the second-rated recruiting class in the country, according to the Blue Star Report, bringing excitement to the New Era of Maryland Women's Basketball as the Terps look to return to national prominence. Four of the nation's top recruits have signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball at the University of Maryland beginning the 2004-05 season. Laura Harper, Crystal Langhorne, Ashleigh Newman and Jade Perry will be donning the Red, White, Black and Gold next year.
"We are ecstatic about this year's class and the impact each and every one of them will have on the future of this program. They are all difference makers and will help bring Maryland back to national prominence," said Frese of the class of 2004.
"First and foremost, we have to thank the support given to us by our Athletics Director Debbie Yow. She has given us the tools and resources to be able to bring top talent," added Frese. "Her vision and support have allowed us to assemble one of the best recruiting classes in the country. In addition, I want to thank my staff for the tremendous effort, hard work and countless hours that have gone into making this class a reality. You don't get that done without top-notch assistants that are committed to this team and University."
A native of Willingboro, N.J., Crystal Langhorne was named an All-American by several publications, including Parade, Street & Smith's and USA Today. Rated the No. 1 post player in the country by All Star Girls Report (ASGR) and the No. 3 senior recruit by the Blue Star Report, she was the 2003 New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year while leading Willingboro High School to the state finals. She averaged 25.0 points, 15.0 rebounds and 5.0 blocks per game over her prep career. A strong and athletic post player, Langhorne was named Most Valuable Player of the AAU National Tournament while helping the team to the national title. An outstanding student, Langhorne ranks 18th in her class and carries a 3.8 grade point average.
"This summer, Crystal was the most dominant post player in the country. She is a proven winner having led her high school and AAU teams to the state and national finals," remarked Frese. "Crystal is a tremendous rebounder and a scoring threat and will have an immediate impact at Maryland. She has a high level of confidence and a winner's mentality which will be evident to everyone."
A highly talented, fast and athletic power forward, Laura Harper is one of three frontcourt players coming to College Park. Measuring 6-3 and hailing from Elkins Park, Pa., Harper is ranked No. 3 among all centers by the ASGR and is the 15th-best senior overall. With still another season to go, she has averaged 21.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 6.0 blocks per game at Cheltenham High School, helping her team to a 28-win season. A 2003 Street & Smith's All-American, she was also named to the Pennsylvania 4A All-State team. Harper has excelled academically, as well, earning a 3.0 grade point average in advanced placement and college prep courses.
"It is exciting to get a player like Laura. With her caliber of play and level of talent, she has unlimited potential and will give us great flexibility at the post," stated Frese. She is a tireless worker who is extremely versatile and quick and will fit right in to our running game. Over the last six months, Laura has grown into one of the top players in the class of 2004."
Jade Perry led Muhlenberg North High to its third-straight state tournament title. Another very strong and powerful post player, she is a great finisher, having averaged 21.0 ppg, 12.0 rpg and 4.0 bpg. A candidate for the Kentucky Ms. Basketball title, she has scored 2,173 career points and has pulled down over 1,400 boards. One of the top 25 forwards in the nation according to the ASGR, she is a Street & Smith's All-American and was named to the AP Kentucky All-State team twice. In 2002 and 2003, she was selected the Third Region Player of the Year and also participated in the Nike All-America Camp. Perry has also earned a 3.3 grade point average in the classroom and is a member of the Student Mentoring Program. She has also received the Muhlenberg Count Outstanding Citizen Award.
"Jade is a power forward who will provide us with a greater flexibility within our offense due to her versatility and strength. She can play inside or step out and hit the perimeter shot, and rebound. She is a proven winner in every sense of the word," said Frese.
A 5-10 guard out of Shelbyville High School in Tennessee, Ashleigh Newman was named the Most Valuable Player of the Tennessee State Tournament after leading her team to the state title. A career 1,000-point scorer, she is ranked No. 32 by the Blue Start Report and played in the Nike All-America camp. Newman was the 2003 District Player of the Year and was also named to the All-4AAA Region team, while also garnering Street & Smith's Honorable Mention All-America honors. In the classroom, Newman carries a 3.3 grade point average and is a member of the Student Council.
"Ashleigh is a proven winner who will provide immediate help at the guard positions. She can defend, score and rebound and will bring a distinct mental toughness to our team. She hails from one of the most visible and nationally recognized programs in Shelbyville High School which produces a long line of All-Americans and High School Championships under coach Rick Insell."
CRYSTAL LANGHORNE HT/POS.: 6-3/Center-Forward Hometown: Willingboro, N.J. High School: Willingboro HS Coach: Guy Fowler AAU Team: Philly Belles Coach: Kevin Lynch
Basketball: Blue Star Report #3 senior in the country; ASGR #1 post player in the country; ASGR #8 senior in the country; First Team Parade All-American; Street & Smith's All-American; USA Today All-American; 2003 New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year; First Team N.J. AP All-State Team; Led Willingboro HS to the state finals; MVP AAU National Tournament; Led Philly Belles to an AAU national title; Member of the USA Youth Festival Team; Nike All-American.
HS Stats: 25.0 ppg, 15.0 rpg; 5.0 bpg
Other: Chose Maryland over Florida, Connecticut, Virginia and Tennessee.
LAURA HARPER HT/POS.: 6-3/Power Forward Hometown: Elkins Park, Pa. High School: Cheltenham HS Coach: Robert Schaefer AAU Team: Philly Belles Coach: Terry Marcincin
Basketball: ASGR #3 center in the country; ASGR #15 senior in the country; Blue Star #14 senior in the country; Street & Smith's All-American; Pennsylvania 4A All-State Team; Led Cheltenham HS to a 28-win season; Member of the USA Youth Festival Team; Nike All-American.
HS Stats: 21.0 ppg, 11.0 rpg; 6.0 bpg
Other: Chose Maryland over Connecticut and a number of other top 20 teams.
JADE PERRY HT/POS.: 6-2/Forward-Center Hometown: Central City, Ky. High School: Muhlenberg North HS Coach: Mike Harper AAU Team: Derek Smith All-Stars Coach: Greg Collins
Basketball: Blue Star Report #31 senior in the country; ASGR Top 25 power forward in the country; Street & Smith's All-American; First Team AP Kentucky All-State (2002, 2003); Led Muhlenberg to its third-straight state tournament appearance; Candidate for the Kentucky Ms. Basketball title; Kentucky State All-Tournament team; Louisville Courier-Journal First Team All-State; First Team All-Third Region (2001, 2002, 2003); Third Region All-Tournament team (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003); Third Region Tournament Most Valuable Player (2003); 2002 and 2003 Third Region Player of the Year; Scored 2,173 career points and grabbed over 1,400 rebounds; Nike All-American; Orlando Sentinel All-South Team.
HS Stats: 21.0 ppg, 12.0 rpg; 4.0 bpg
Other: 2003 Kentucky shot put champion. Chose Maryland over Kentucky, Arkansas, NC State, Indiana and Illinois.
ASLEIGH NEWMAN HT/POS.: 5-10/GUARD Hometown: Murfressboro, Tenn. High School: Shelbyville HS Coach: Rick Insell AAU Team: Shelbyville Sports Shop Coach: Rick Insell
Basketball: Blue Star #32 senior in the country; ASGR Top 100 Guard in the class of 2004; Street & Smith's Honorable Mention All-American; 2003 8AAA District Player of the Year; 2003 All-4AAA Region; Led Shelbyville to a state championship; Most Valuable Player of the Tennessee State Tournament; AP all-state team; 1,000 Point Scorer; Named Shelbyville Best Offensive Player in 2003; Nike All-American; Hoop Fest Tournament MVP in Marshall County, Ky.
HS Stats:17.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg; 3.0 spg
Other: Chose Maryland over Alabama, Vanderbilt and Florida.
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