Northwestern University Athletics
Women's Hoops Signs Three
11/16/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 16, 2005
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern women's basketball head coach Beth Combs announced today the signing of three players to National Letters of Intent. The three members of the class of 2010 hail from the Midwest, including two Illinois products and one Indiana native.
"We are thrilled with the quality of student-athletes we were able to sign in our second recruiting class," head coach Beth Combs. "All three of these young women have the potential to make their mark in our league and we are honored that they have chosen to join the Wildcat family. They are the kind of people we are proud to have represent our university."
Beth Marshall, a 5-5 guard from Fishers, Ind., is currently a student at Hamilton Southeastern High School and a member of the 2005 AAU Nike National Champions, The Family, Inc. A two-time all-conference selection, Marshall helped Hamilton to the 2004-05 4A State Championship, posting a 58-10 mark. Marshall was also selected to attend the Top 100 Showcase in Indianapolis and is ranked No. 134 by All Star Girls Report.
"Beth is a very talented point guard who has led her AAU team over the past few years culminating in a national championship," Combs said. "She knows how to lead the best of the best and will be a major contributor early in her career both as a leader and scorer."
Rockford, Ill. native Lakhiyia Hicks is a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School averaging 17.5 ppg, 5.6 apg and 4.3 spg. A three-time team captain, Hicks was an all-conference selection in 2004. She plays AAU basketball for the Chicago Hoops Express, the same team as fellow signee Kaitlin McInerney. Off the court, Hicks is also class valedictorian and president of National Honor Society.
"Lakhiyia is a steal for us," Combs said. "She was relatively unknown in this area and came upon the summer scene with force. She is a slasher that opens up the floor and is a great defender who will put pressure on our opponents."
Rounding out the trio of signees is Kaitlin McInerney, currently a student at Benet Academy in Oak Brook, Ill. McInerney is on Street & Smith's high school All-America team and was named to the ESCAA All-Conference team in 2004. The team captain was also named the Naperville Sun Player of the Year in 2004-05. McInerney is averaging 16.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg and recorded 76 blocks last season. She is ranked No. 144 by All Star Girls Report. McInerney plays AAU basketball for the Chicago Hoops Express, the same team as fellow signee Lakhiyia Hicks.
"Kaitlin is a banger with potential to make a major impact," Combs said. "While she is slightly undersized as a post player, but has continued to prove herself against bigger posts in the country. She will be that player that makes everyone better. Her work ethic and potential is second to none.
Full biographies of the women's basketball signees appear below:
Beth Marshall
5-5, Guard
Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern
High School: Four-year varsity player at Hamilton Southeastern ... Team captain ... Helped the Royals to a 58-10 record in 2004-05 and 4A State Championship ... All-Hoosier Crossroads Conference 2004 and 2005 ... 2004 and 2005 All-Metro North (H.M.) ... 2005 All-Hamilton County ... 2005 Junior All Star ... 2004 and 2005 Top 100 Showcase ... Averaging 9.0 ppg, 5.0 apg, 3.0 rpg, 2.1spg in high school ... Part of the Hamilton Southeastern team that went undefeated in conference play three years in a row ('02, '03, '04) ... Competed in the 2004 Champions Hall of Fame Classic and 2003 Champions of Hamilton County Tournament ... Ranked No. 134 by All Star Girls Report ... Plays AAU basketball with The Family, Inc., the 2005 Nike National Champions and Nike Cup Champions ... AAU team went 40-1 last year ... Competed in the U.S. Junior Nationals ... 16U/17U Indiana State AAU Champions.
Personal: Born Beth Ann Marshall on 5/3/88 in Portsmouth, Ohio ... Parents are Barbara and Tim Marshall ... Honor Roll while taking honors curriculum ... Senior Leadership Academy.
Lakhiyia Hicks
5-8, Guard
Rockford, Ill./Thomas Jefferson
High School: Four-year varsity player at Thomas Jefferson ... Three-year team captain ... Averaged 17.5 ppg, 5.6 apg and 4.3 spg through junior season ... Nominated for McDonald's All-American Classic ... First-team All-NIC-9 performer as a junior ... Also All-NIC-9 performer in track and field as a freshman ... State qualifier in the high jump ... Forrester All-Tournament team (2004) ... McHenry All-Tournament team (2004) ... Gatorade Player of the Year (2003) ... American Youth Character Award (2003) ... Osco Drug Store Female Athlete of the Week (2003) ... Plays AAU basketball for the Chicago Hoops Express, the same team as fellow signee Kaitlin McInerney ... Attended Adidas National Championship Tournament in Atlanta, Ga.
Personal: Born Lakhiyia Fleshae Yvonne Hicks on 7/15/88 in Rockford, Ill. ... Parents are Lee and Tracy Hicks ... Class Valedictorian ... President of National Honor Society ... Four-year honor roll member ... National honor roll ... National Dean's List ... Chose Northwestern over Yale, Ohio State, Colgate and University of Chicago ... Anticipated major is corporate law.
Kaitlin McInerney
6-0, Forward
Oak Brook, Ill./Benet Academy
High School: Four-year varsity letterwinner at Benet Academy ... Street & Smith's High School All-America Team ... Team captain ... ESCAA All-Conference Team (2004-05) ... Daily Herald All-Area team ... Naperville Sun Player of the Year (2005) ... Naperville North Benet Tourney MVP ... Averaging 16 ppg, 9 rpg and recorded 76 blocks last season ... Ranked No. 144 by All Star Girls Report ... Has led the Redwings to back-to-back sectional championships (2003, 2004) and a regional championship (2005) ... Also lettered in golf and played volleyball and soccer at Benet ... Plays AAU basketball for the Chicago Hoops Express, the same team as fellow signee Lakhiyia Hicks.
Personal: Born Kaitlin Lea McInerney on 11/18/87 in Chicago, Ill. ... Parents are Mike and Judy McInerney ... National Honor Society ... Honor Roll ... Chose Northwestern over Miami University, Arizona State, Wisconsin and Minnesota ... Interested in studying communications.
