UO women’s basketball

signs final recruit
Bev Smith completed her first recruiting class as head coach of the Oregon women’s basketball team with her fifth signing of the spring Wednesday.
And Smith stayed in the country this time.
After signing two recruits from her native Canada, Smith received a national letter of intent from Hillsboro native Kayla Steen.
Last year at Clackamas Community College — one of 26 schools in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges — the 5-foot-8 guard averaged 22.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and a league-best 7.1 assists while leading Clackamas to a 26-6 record. She garnered MVP honors of the NWAACC southern division for the second straight year.
Steen joins 6-foot-3 post Carolyn Ganes of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, 6-foot-2 forward Yadili Okwumabua of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Saint Mary’s transfer Corrie Mizusawa, a 5-foot-8 guard, and Hawaii transfer Chelsea Wagner, a guard from Springfield, on this year’s recruiting class. Mizusawa and Wagner, however, are required to sit out a season by NCAA regulations.
Because Steen is transferring from a non-NCAA school, she is eligible to participate for the Ducks in the 2002-03 season. Steen will help fill the void of the departed Jamie Craighead, who finished her career second on Oregon’s all-time three-point list.
“Kayla brings qualities that we lose in our graduating players this year,” Smith said. “She will be able to play a little bit of a combo guard for us. Her strength is the ability to do the right thing for the team, whether it’s hitting a three-pointer, getting after a rebound or dishing off an assist.”
Steen adds to the already guard-heavy lineup that features All-American senior Shaquala Williams, Alissa Edwards, Kourtney Shreve as well as sophomores Brandi Davis and Amy Taylor.
“Kayla will be able to contribute right away to our program, and she’s got two years of being a strong leader at the JC level,” Smith said. “Plus, she’s a great student and has great character.”
As a freshman at Clackamas, Steen averaged 17 points, six rebounds and six assists per game.
A four-year letterwinner from St. Mary’s Academy in Portland, Steen was a first-team all-league selection as a junior and senior. She also holds a state prep record with 10 three-pointers in a game.

— Adam Jude