Campus Life

Horns women's basketball team mines south for additions to recruiting class

Dave Adams continue to overhaul the roster for the Pronghorns women's basketball program, and this time, he's headed south for help.

Adams is excited to introduce two American Junior College transfer players to the Pronghorns, Katie Hankins and Jessica Norlander.

Hankins comes to the U of L from Lower Columbia College, while Norlander played at Green River College, both schools participating in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC).

A 5-foot-11 forward, Hankins helped the Lower Columbia Red Devils to a 13-1 conference record last season and averaged 14.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. She also recorded six double-doubles last season and was named a NWAC West 1st team All-Star.

“I'm so excited to be a Pronghorn,” says Hankins on her decision to sign with the U of L. “The decision to come here was made easy after taking my visit and meeting all the wonderful, supportive people at the University of Lethbridge.

“I was really looking for a place where the community and school are involved with athletics and somewhere where I was going to have a good relationship with not only the team, but the coaches as well.”

Originally from Chehalis, Wa., Hankins averaged 5.5 points and 4.4 rebounds as a freshman during the 2014-15 season.

“Katie is a proven winner on and off the court,” says Adams. “Her ability to face up and attack the basket will add much needed offence for the program.

“Katie also has the skill to defend both inside and outside which helps with our team versatility.”

Norlander is a six-foot post from Athol, Idaho, and joins the Horns after two seasons in the NWAC where she averaged double digits in points in both of her seasons with the Green River Gators.

“I'm so excited for the next three years at the University of Lethbridge,” she says. “Lethbridge has really embraced me as a person and my playing style.

“I can already tell the coaches and team are an amazing group, I can't wait to work my hardest.”

As a freshman, Norlander averaged 12 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. She produced an even more productive season as a sophomore, averaging a double-double with 14.8 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. She was also named a NWAC West 1st team All-Star this past season.

“Jessica brings the background of averaging a double-double last season in the highly competitive western division of the NWAC and has a natural talent for rebounding, which will immediately address our issues in this area from last season,” says Adams. “She is comfortable playing both back to the basket and face-up away from the hoop, creating defensive challenges for opponents.”

With the addition of Hankins and Norlander, the 2016-17 recruiting class now sits at five, but Adams is looking to add a couple more new faces in the coming weeks as he continues to reshape his roster.