DeHoff announced today her first recruiting class, a five-member class
comprised of some of the best local talent: 6-foot-5 center Janae
Burich (Roseville, Minn./Roseville H.S.), 5-10 guard Danielle DeGagne
(Brandon, Manitoba/Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School), 6-2 center
Paige Beck (Sioux Falls, S.D./Roosevelt H.S.), 5-11 guard Hannah Linz
(Watkins, Minn./Eden Valley-Watkins H.S.), and 6-foot forward Rachelle
Eckmann (St. James, Minn./St. James H.S.) -- who have signed national
letters of intent to play basketball and continue their education at
NDSU.
"I commend our staff for doing an unbelievable job in recruiting these student-athletes to North Dakota State University. Our appreciation goes out to Coach (Amy) Ruley and her staff for generating the interest in these incredible players last fall," said DeHoff.
"The signing of these five talented players has addressed our immediate needs for our continued success at the Division I level. We signed tremendous size and unwavering work ethics in our 6-foot-5, 6-foot-2 and 6-foot bigs, an astonishing knock down shooter, who also happens to be a south paw, and an intuitive, versatile Canadian guard. We are thrilled that they have chosen NDSU to further both their educational and athletic careers. These student athletes will continue to enrich the tradition that exists in women’s basketball and Bison Athletics."
Burich was an all-conference player and St. Paul Pioneer Press all-state honorable mention performer for Roseville Area High School as a junior. She averaged 12.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocked shots per game. Burich hit 54.7 percent from the field and 69.7 percent from the free throw line.
"A big reason I chose NDSU is because it’s pretty close to home. I wanted to go to a school where my parents would be able to come watch me play. Also, North Dakota State University has all the educational opportunities I was looking for," said Burich.
In addition to being a force on the basketball court, Burich was also named honorable mention all-conference in volleyball and placed third at the 2008 state meet in the shot put.
"I chose NDSU because everything just felt right when I went there; I liked the style of play at the camp and the coaches were great. The tradition of women’s basketball at NDSU is fantastic," said DeGagne.
DeGagne’s single game highs are impressive as she has: scored 41 points, pulled down 16 rebounds, dished out 16 assists, and created 13 steals. All single-game highs were against ranked opponents.
DANIELLE DEGAGNE BIO
Beck has been a contributor in the post for the Roosevelt High School over the past four seasons, which included a Class AA State Championship run in 2005-2006. She missed last season due to a knee injury.
"I think I’ve always known I would end up at North Dakota State. I love how welcoming the campus is and the enthusiasm Fargo has for Bison sports," said Beck.
The left-handed Linz has been a starter for Eden Valley-Watkins High School since the eigth grade. Last season, she averaged 27.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 3.9 steals per game. Linz surpassed the 1,000 point mark during her freshman season and has scored 2,683 points to date.
"The NDSU women’s basketball staff are a group of women who are excited for their new task and will do anything it takes to make a winning program. I can’t wait for my college experience at North Dakota State because I know it will be the time of my life, playing the game I love," said Linz.
An Associated Press All-State selection, Linz is an excellent passer and fires with deadly accuracy from beyond the arc: she has made 239 of 577 attempts for a career percentage of 41 percent.
A three-year captain, Eckmann has been an all-conference selection and honorable mention all-state since her freshman year at St. James High School.
"NDSU was always the school I wanted to go to. I wanted to be a Bison the moment I saw the girls play, and I’m looking forward to finally becoming one," said Eckmann.
Eckmann also holds the St. James High School record for 3-point field goal percentage at a deadly 45.3 percent. She has already surpassed the 1,000 point mark before her senior season begins.
North Dakota State opens the regular season and looks to "Pack the House" at home against the University of Northern Iowa at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14 in the Bison Sports Arena.
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