Xavier University Athletics
Xavier Adds Five Players During NCAA Early Signing Period
11.14.17 | Women's Basketball
Women’s basketball coach Brian Neal announced his signing class on Tuesday
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THE SIGNING CLASS |
| Name | Ht. | Pos. | Hometown (HS) |
| Maddy Johnson | 5-11 | G | Irvine, Calif. (Mater Dei HS) |
| Ayanna Townsend | 6-2 | F | Pittsburgh, Pa. (Winchester Thurston HS) |
| Lauren Wasylson | 6-0 | G | Valencia, Pa. (Mars HS) |
| Carrie Gross | 5-11 | G | Clinton, Md. (Rock Creek Christian Academy) |
| Ka'Ierra Reed | 5-5 | G | Cleveland, Ohio (John Hay HS) |
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MADDY JOHNSON |
Has led her team to an 82-18 overall record in three seasons at Mater Dei HS… helped her team win a So Cal Regional Championship in 2015 and 2017… averaged 10 points per game as a junior… her older sister Morgan played basketball at Kansas Wesleyan (2014-15)… was high school teammates with UCONN junior Katie Lou Samuelson… played for the Cali/Arizona Select AAU Team.
Welcome to the family, @madisonjohnsson! #LetsGoX pic.twitter.com/z5Vlo9lpQZ
— Xavier Women's Basketball (@XavierWBB) November 8, 2017
?? "Maddy is a bigger guard who can shoot the ball. She is a competitor who has helped her HS team to an 82-18 record." Coach Neal #LetsGoX pic.twitter.com/OfuFGTqAHS
— Xavier Women's Basketball (@XavierWBB) November 8, 2017
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AYANNA TOWNSEND |
Is a three-sport athlete (crew, basketball and track)… led Winchester Thurston to its first ever WPIAL Championship last season… averaged 18.6 points and 14 rebounds per game as a junior… led her team to a 20-2 overall record last season… was the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette WPIAL Class 1A Player of the Year in 2017… also earned first-team all-conference honors in 2017… played for WPA Bruins AAU Team.
Welcome to the family, @townsenda44! #LetsGoX pic.twitter.com/jvjVTKsQw3
— Xavier Women's Basketball (@XavierWBB) November 9, 2017
?? "Ayanna is a well rounded, intelligent basketball player. She is going to be a great rebounder in the BIG EAST." - Coach Neal #LetsGoX pic.twitter.com/gu9DoaPjNG
— Xavier Women's Basketball (@XavierWBB) November 9, 2017
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LAUREN WASYLSON |
Averaged 17 points per game last season at Mars HS… also hit 90 percent of her free throw attempts and 55 percent of her three-point attempts… is a two-time WPIAL All-Conference selection (2015-17)… led her team to back-to-back sectional titles (2014-16)… helped her team post an 18-8 overall record as a junior… named to the 2017-18 Pittsburgh Top-50 by The Dabbelt Report… was named to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fab 5 last season… played for the Drill for Skill AAU Team.
Welcome to the family, Lauren! #LetsGoX pic.twitter.com/yvKevN8OQb
— Xavier Women's Basketball (@XavierWBB) November 8, 2017
?? "Lauren is a big guard and can hit a three from NBA range. She's a natural leader and a great player. " Coach Neal #LetsGoX pic.twitter.com/4QVuyorC8e
— Xavier Women's Basketball (@XavierWBB) November 8, 2017
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CARRIE GROSS |
Averaged 13 points and six rebounds per game last season… was named her conference's offensive player of the year as a junior... led Forestville HS to back-to-back Maryland Class 1A State Titles (2014-16)… her father James played football at Maryland (1981-83)… played for the Havoc City Elite AAU Team.
Welcome to the family, Carrie! #LetsGoX pic.twitter.com/RTbhWaCz50
— Xavier Women's Basketball (@XavierWBB) November 8, 2017
?? "Carrie has a presence on both ends of the floor. She is strong, physical and a great scorer." Head coach Brian Neal #LetsGoX pic.twitter.com/BDr7fZZqnG
— Xavier Women's Basketball (@XavierWBB) November 8, 2017
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KA'IERRA REED |
Averaged 22 points last season at Cleveland Central Catholic HS… had 10 or more games with 20 points… earned first-team all-conference honors last season… played for the Cincinnati Heat Premier AAU Team.
Welcome to the family, Ka'Ierra! #LetsGoX pic.twitter.com/ga124IOXmp
— Xavier Women's Basketball (@XavierWBB) November 14, 2017
?? "I think Ka'Ierra is one of the best point guards in the state of Ohio." - Coach Neal #LetsGoX pic.twitter.com/lHLUnAkUBT
— Xavier Women's Basketball (@XavierWBB) November 14, 2017
