BROOKINGS, S.D. (KWSN)– South Dakota State University head women’s basketball coach Aaron Johnston announced Wednesday four members of the high school Class of 2015 have signed national letters of intent to play for the Jackrabbits next season.
Signing Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period, were:
- Annabel Graettinger, 5-10, guard, Muscatine, Iowa (Muscatine High School)
- Madison Guebert, 5-8, guard, Apple Valley, Minn. (Eastview High School)
- Jessica Mieras, 6-3, forward/center, Sioux Falls, S.D. (O’Gorman High School)
- Sydney Palmer, 5-11, guard/forward, Pierre, S.D. (Pierre T.F. Riggs High School)
“We are excited to officially welcome Annabel, Madison, Sydney, and Jessica to our Jackrabbit family,” Johnston said. “Our program is adding four tremendous student-athletes and four exceptional teammates. We believe this group will help us continue to reach new levels of success on and off the court.”
Graettinger averaged 13.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game as a junior at Muscatine High School. A three-year letterwinner, Graettinger was a first team Mississippi Athletic Conference, All-Metro, Iowa Basketball Coaches Association All-Region and Quad-City Times All-Metro selection last season. She ranked sixth in the conference in scoring and helped the Muskies to a 19-4 overall record, 15-1 conference mark and to the Class 5A regional semifinals.
Guebert was an Associated Press all-state and Star Tribune All-Metro first team pick as a junior. A state all-tournament team member, she helped the Eastview Lightning to the 2014 Class 4A state title and finish with a 31-1 overall and 13-1 conference record. She averaged 22.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 55.6 percent from the field, 49.5 percent from three-point range and 88.7 percent from the free-throw line. Breakdown Sports ranked Guebert as the No. 2 player in her class in Minnesota and Gprep.net ranks her No. 3.
Guebert scored her 1,000th career point as a sophomore and averaged 20.8 points per game. She was named the 2012-13 Pioneer Press Player of the Year, to the Associated Press all-state second team and was a South Suburban all-conference selection. The two-time St. Olaf All-Tournament member and three-time Hamlin Tournament All-Tournament pick is also a three-time academic letterwinner.
Named second team Class AA all-state and second team Greater Dakota All-Conference as a junior, Mieras averaged 11.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. She helped O’Gorman to a third-place finish at the 2013-14 state tournament and an 18-7 overall record. As a sophomore, Mieras averaged 12.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. She also earned all-tournament honors at the 2012-13 state tournament. The three-year letterwinner holds the school record for blocks in a season (62, 2012-13).
Palmer, a two-time all-state Class AA and All-Eastern South Dakota Conference selection, averaged 14.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game. A versatile scoring threat, she shot 52 percent from the field, 33.6 percent from three-point range and 79.6 percent from the free-throw line. She set the single season three-point field goal record (39) last season and holds the career record (67). Palmer enters her senior season fourth in career scoring (835). As a sophomore, Palmer averaged 11.5 points and 4.9 rebounds.
The defending Summit League champions return nine letterwinners from 2013-14. A senior class that has the chance to become the second-winningest senior class in South Dakota State Division I history headlines the group. Seniors Gabby Boever, Mariah Clarin, Megan Stuart, Rachel Walters and Megan Waytashek enter the season with a 75-27 (.735) record.
South Dakota State opens its 49th season of women’s basketball Nov. 14 when it hosts BYU—one of five NCAA participants from a year ago on the Jacks’ schedule—in it season opener in Frost Arena at 8 p.m.
Courtesy: South Dakota State University