Marshall University Athletics
Photo by: Adam Gue
Coach Kemper Announces 2019-20 Signing Class
11/15/2018 12:09:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Five new additions to the Herd women’s basketball family
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall women's basketball head coach Tony Kemper announced the signing of five players for the 2019-20 season, on Wednesday.
"We are really excited about this 2019 recruiting class," coach Kemper said. "It is a great group of basketball players and students who will be excellent ambassadors of our program and university. It was important for us to recruit a group of versatile players that we felt could all ultimately play together and we have done that."
Joining the Thundering Herd family will be Savannah Wheeler, Paige Shy, Sky Thomas, Alexis Johnson and Christiana McLean.
Savannah Wheeler has been a star as a combo guard for Boyd County High School in Kentucky. She has been named to the All 16th Region Team every year since the eighth grade. As a freshman and sophomore, Wheeler was named to the all-area team and honorable mention all-state. As a sophomore she was honored as all-area Player of the Year. In her junior campaign, Wheeler was named MVP of the 16th Region, Lexington Herald Leader First Team All-State, Louisville Courier Journal second team All-State, all-area Player of the Year again and led the state of Kentucky in three-pointers made with 108. Because of her play, she is a candidate for 2018-19 Kentucky Miss Basketball. Wheeler has scored 2,674 points in her career.
"Savannah is one of the most talented guards in the state of Kentucky," coach Kemper said. "She showed tremendous leadership and basketball ability while leading Boyd County to the Final Four in the state of Kentucky. She can really score and we will need her to provide that punch to our program."
Paige Shy is a 5-10 forward from St. Joseph Central Catholic High School in Huntington. In her junior season, Shy averaged 17 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game, 2.8 assists per game and 2.3 steals per contest as well. During her tenure, St. Joe's has won one state title and been runner-up twice. Shy has steadily improved during her high school career as she was named third team all-state her freshman season, second team all-state after her sophomore year and first team all-state after her junior season. She has scored over 1,000 points in her prep career.
"Paige is a tremendous shooter," coach Kemper said. "She is part of one of the most successful high school programs in this region and has won a state championship. She plays with a grit and toughness that will be a huge asset in our program."
Sky Thomas is a 6-3 forward from Wyoming High School in Wyoming, Ohio, just north of Cincinnati. She has picked up numerous accolades during her high school career. Thomas was named the Ohio Division II Player of the Year, Division II First Team, all-state honorable mention, All-Southwest District second team, and a Cincinnati Athlete of the Year nominee.
"Sky brings more size and athleticism to our program," coach Kemper said. "She has some tremendous tools and will bring a great work ethic. She was her conference player of the year and I believe that her best basketball is still ahead of her."
Alexis Johnson is a 5-10 forward from Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology in Southfield, Mich. She led her team in scoring and rebounding during her first three high school seasons. Johnson has averaged 17.6 points per game, 10.4 boards per game and 3.2 steals per contest. She is a three-time Oakland Activities Association first team all-league player. She reached the 1,000 point milestone during her junior season. Johnson has also been honored to the All-Area Detroit Free Press and Detroit News teams the past two seasons. In 2017-18, she was named first team Class A All-State.
"Alexis is a very athletic swing forward," coach Kemper said. "She will immediately help on the boards and gives us great versatility on both ends of the floor. She plays on a very good high school team in the Detroit area and we will immediately utilize her aggressive mentality."
Christiana McLean is a point guard from Heritage High School in Raleigh, N.C. McLean has racked up several awards while averaging 16 points per game. As a freshman she was tabbed as a Select 60 Best Offensive Player. After her sophomore season, she was named Southern Piedmont Athletic Association All-Conference, Player of the Year and MVP. In 2016-17, McLean was honored as South Charlotte Season's Finest Basketball Player and a Big5 Top Performer. This past season, she added a Queen City All-Tournament team selection.
"Christiana is a fast and athletic guard," coach Kemper said. "She can make an impact on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. She plays for a tremendous high school program down in the Raleigh area and brings a contagious energy level to our program."
For all of the latest information on the Marshall women's basketball team, follow the Herd on Twitter @HerdWBB, Facebook at Marshall University Basketball and on www.herdzone.com.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules, and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS or Android!
"We are really excited about this 2019 recruiting class," coach Kemper said. "It is a great group of basketball players and students who will be excellent ambassadors of our program and university. It was important for us to recruit a group of versatile players that we felt could all ultimately play together and we have done that."
Joining the Thundering Herd family will be Savannah Wheeler, Paige Shy, Sky Thomas, Alexis Johnson and Christiana McLean.
Savannah Wheeler has been a star as a combo guard for Boyd County High School in Kentucky. She has been named to the All 16th Region Team every year since the eighth grade. As a freshman and sophomore, Wheeler was named to the all-area team and honorable mention all-state. As a sophomore she was honored as all-area Player of the Year. In her junior campaign, Wheeler was named MVP of the 16th Region, Lexington Herald Leader First Team All-State, Louisville Courier Journal second team All-State, all-area Player of the Year again and led the state of Kentucky in three-pointers made with 108. Because of her play, she is a candidate for 2018-19 Kentucky Miss Basketball. Wheeler has scored 2,674 points in her career.
"Savannah is one of the most talented guards in the state of Kentucky," coach Kemper said. "She showed tremendous leadership and basketball ability while leading Boyd County to the Final Four in the state of Kentucky. She can really score and we will need her to provide that punch to our program."
Paige Shy is a 5-10 forward from St. Joseph Central Catholic High School in Huntington. In her junior season, Shy averaged 17 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game, 2.8 assists per game and 2.3 steals per contest as well. During her tenure, St. Joe's has won one state title and been runner-up twice. Shy has steadily improved during her high school career as she was named third team all-state her freshman season, second team all-state after her sophomore year and first team all-state after her junior season. She has scored over 1,000 points in her prep career.
"Paige is a tremendous shooter," coach Kemper said. "She is part of one of the most successful high school programs in this region and has won a state championship. She plays with a grit and toughness that will be a huge asset in our program."
Sky Thomas is a 6-3 forward from Wyoming High School in Wyoming, Ohio, just north of Cincinnati. She has picked up numerous accolades during her high school career. Thomas was named the Ohio Division II Player of the Year, Division II First Team, all-state honorable mention, All-Southwest District second team, and a Cincinnati Athlete of the Year nominee.
"Sky brings more size and athleticism to our program," coach Kemper said. "She has some tremendous tools and will bring a great work ethic. She was her conference player of the year and I believe that her best basketball is still ahead of her."
Alexis Johnson is a 5-10 forward from Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology in Southfield, Mich. She led her team in scoring and rebounding during her first three high school seasons. Johnson has averaged 17.6 points per game, 10.4 boards per game and 3.2 steals per contest. She is a three-time Oakland Activities Association first team all-league player. She reached the 1,000 point milestone during her junior season. Johnson has also been honored to the All-Area Detroit Free Press and Detroit News teams the past two seasons. In 2017-18, she was named first team Class A All-State.
"Alexis is a very athletic swing forward," coach Kemper said. "She will immediately help on the boards and gives us great versatility on both ends of the floor. She plays on a very good high school team in the Detroit area and we will immediately utilize her aggressive mentality."
Christiana McLean is a point guard from Heritage High School in Raleigh, N.C. McLean has racked up several awards while averaging 16 points per game. As a freshman she was tabbed as a Select 60 Best Offensive Player. After her sophomore season, she was named Southern Piedmont Athletic Association All-Conference, Player of the Year and MVP. In 2016-17, McLean was honored as South Charlotte Season's Finest Basketball Player and a Big5 Top Performer. This past season, she added a Queen City All-Tournament team selection.
"Christiana is a fast and athletic guard," coach Kemper said. "She can make an impact on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. She plays for a tremendous high school program down in the Raleigh area and brings a contagious energy level to our program."
For all of the latest information on the Marshall women's basketball team, follow the Herd on Twitter @HerdWBB, Facebook at Marshall University Basketball and on www.herdzone.com.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules, and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS or Android!
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