April 16, 2008

BEMIDJIL, Minn. -- Bemidji State University head women’s basketball coach Mike Curfman today announced the commitment of four recruits to play for the Beavers in 2008-09. The commitments of Samantha Baldwin, Taylor Davis, Kiki Phillips and Samantha Spaeth combined with the early signing of Brainerd’s Megan Bates, Crookston’s Sydney Epema and Bemidji’s Kelsey Nelson make for Curfman’s largest incoming class at BSU and the largest for the university since 2005 when BSU signed eight student-athlete’s.

The 2008-09 class is made up primarily of local talent, something the BSU coaching staff specifically focused on this year. Five of the seven committed players are from Minnesota while the other two student-athletes are from Wisconsin and North Dakota, respectively.

“Anytime we can get players from our own backyard that is a positive,” commented Curfman. “One advantage to recruiting local student-athletes that can play Division II is that it is easier for their family and friends to come and watch them play and hopefully, that will help our attendance and atmosphere to give us even more of a home court advantage.”

The 2008-09 class includes a good mix of well rounded players that bring in size and talent to the back court while adding an immediate boost on the boards.

“One of the strengths of this recruiting class is that they can play multiple positions. I think that helps when it comes to the offensive end making it tougher for defenses because they have to focus on guarding more than one threat. It will also give them a opportunity for more playing time if they can play more than one position.”

The Bemidji State women’s basketball team finished the 2007-08 season 13-15; 9-9 in NSIC play for sixth place in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference standings.

All signees are contingent upon admission to BSU and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Eligibility Center.

• Samantha Baldwin (Point Guard, 5-7, Fr.-HS); St. Thomas, N.D. (Grafton HS)
A three-sport athlete at Grafton High School, Baldwin earned five varsity letters in basketball...the 2,000-point career scorer helped lead the spoilers to a 22-2 record, a District 4 Conference Championship and Conference Tournament Championship her senior year...the five-time All-District performer recorded 16.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg and 7.4 apg while shooting 48-percent from the field, 43.6-percent from the three-point arc and 73.4-percent from the charity stripe during her senior campaign...At the conclusion of her senior season she was a Miss North Dakota Basketball finalist, First Team All-State, a McDonald’s All-American Nominee, a member of the Lions All-Star Team, and the District 4 Senior Athlete of the Year...A three-year letterwinner on the Spoilers’ volleyball team, she earned All-District honors her sophomore season while being named Back Row Defensive Player of the Year...she has also been active on the track and on the golf course as she has lettered in track and field three times and golf twice...she was named MVP of the track and field team her sophomore season and qualified for the North Dakota state track meet in the 200, 400, pole vault, and 4 x 100 relay...off the playing surface she has been involved in student council, homecoming, band and youth group.

Curfman on Baldwin: “Samantha is a very smart player, not only is she a talented point guard but she is a good scorer. She scored over 2,000 points in her career and helped lead her team to a 22-2 record, so she posses great leadership skills. I am excited because she is both a great play maker and scorer and I am thrilled to have her join our roster next season.”

• Taylor Davis (Forward, 5-10, Fr.-HS); Crookston, Minn. (Crookston HS)
Next year Davis will make the 90-mile trip east on Highway 2 to Bemidji to join high school teammate Sydney Epema on the BSU women’s basketball team. While at Crookston High School she was a three year starter on the girls basketball team and was a focal point on the Pirates’ 2006 and 2008 State Tournament teams...she was a 1,000-point career scorer ranking in the top five all-time in scoring at Crookston High and was a captain her senior season...Davis averaged 12.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, and 1.4 apg while shooting at a clip of 51.8-percent from the field and 76.7 from the free throw line her final season...Davis is accomplished in the class room as she is a member of the National Honor Society and was the Miss Crookston Scholarship Pageant Winner in 2007...she has also been an avid member of the Crookston High School band, choir and orchestra.

Curfman on Davis: “Taylor is one of those players that is a tough match up for opponents. She is a little bit under sized for a post but she creates a lot of problems because she is fearless and will challenge bigger post players. She is another one of those student-athletes that we think is very versatile who can face the basket as well as post up. She comes from a great basketball program so we feel she will bring great leadership skills to our program.”

• Kiki Phillips (Forward, 5-11, Fr.-HS); Spencer, Wis. (Spencer HS)
A participant on the Spencer High School basketball team for four years, Phillips is a three-time Marawood All-Conference performer and a four-time letterwinner for the Rockets’...During her senior campaign she averaged 14.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg while dishing out 2.0 apg...she was also a captain for three seasons...Phillips also participated in volleyball, track and field, and softball at Spencer High, garnering all-conference honors three times in volleyball and softball while receiving one athletic letter in track and field...She is an honor student and has been a constant on the Spencer High School Honor Roll...she was also a two time Marawood Scholar Athlete, WDLB/WOSQ student athlete of the week, and represented Spencer at the Women’s Sports Advocates of Wisconsin banquet.

Curfman on Phillips: “She is a very versatile player who can play inside and outside. She will really fill the role of a small forward who can face the basket or post up. She has got great range in her shot and is a good three point shooter. She is a gym rat who loves the game of basketball and I am very excited to add her to our roster.”

• Samantha Spaeth (Guard, 5-7, Fr.-HS); Hawley, Minn. (Hawley HS)
A participant on the Hawley High School basketball team for four years, Spaeth set the school’s and the Minnesota State record for career free-throw percentage shooting 87.7-percent (187-213) from the charity stripe during her four years...During her senior campaign she averaged 15.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, and 2.5 spg while shooting a sizzling 51.7-percent from the field, 43.8-percent from the three-point arc and 90.8 percent from the free-throw line, leading her team to a 23-3 record...Spaeth is a two-time Heart O’ Lakes All-Conference selection while being named to the All-State Honorable Mention Team by the Minnesota Coaches Association as a senior....she was also named to the KROX All-Tourney team and was selected to participate in the North Central All-Star game at the conclusion of her final season...Spaeth was also a four year letterwinner on the Hawley softball team earning the Nuggets batting title as a sophomore and the golden glove award as a junior...She has also excelled in the classroom being named to the Hawley High Honor Roll, National Honor Society, Academic All-Stars and garnering the Presidential Education Award for Academic Excellence as a freshman.

Spaeth’s family athletic talent runs deep as she is the cousin of former Gopher standout Matt Spaeth who is Minnesota’s all-time career leader in receiving yards and receptions by a tight end. Spaeth is currently heading into his second season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Curfman on Spaeth: “She comes from one of the best high school programs in Northern Minnesota. She is a very talented three point shooter and her free throw percentage speaks for itself. In addition, she is very versatile as she played some point guard and shooting guard in high school. She is someone who we think can help us on the scoring end as well as the defensive end with toughness and great athletic ability.”

Bemidji State University, located in Bemidji, Minn., is an NCAA Division II institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

--beavers--