November 12, 2004

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Classifieds

Palo Alto Online

Cardinal basketball teams sign top classes

by Rick Eymer

The Stanford men's basketball program didn't have to venture far to supplement next year's team, signing players from Southern California, Arizona and Seattle to national letters of intent.

The women's basketball program, meanwhile, drew from far and wide to add to next year's roster. The Cardinal signed players from New York, Texas and Oregon.

Both the women's volleyball team and women's golf team tapped into local talent as well as reaching cross country. New volleyball players hail from Florida, Missouri, Long Beach and Atherton. New golfers will come from Hawaii and Alameda.

Lawrence Hill, a 6-foot-8 power forward from Glendale, Arizona, may be the prize of the class. He averaged 18 points, 13 rebounds, 3.5 blocked shots and five assists a game in earning all-state honors as a junior.

"With all the university and the Cardinal program has to offer, I have total control over my future," Hill said. "Stanford definitely gives me the chance to succeed."

Hill was also named a two-time MVP of the Arizona Preps Fall Showcase.

"He is a very versatile player who has the potential to do very well at Stanford," Cardinal coach Trent Johnson said.

Anthony Goods, a 6-4 perimeter player of out Corona, Calif., averaged 17 points a game last year at Centennial High.

"I see Anthony developing into a strong shooting guard who also has the capability of playing point," Johnson said.

Goods played with the West in the USA Youth Development Festival last summer.

"This program is designed for the ultimate player development," Goods said of Stanford.

Mitch Johnson led Seattle's O'Dea High to the state title last year, averaging 20 points and six assists as a 6-1 point guard.

"People struck me as genuine and that they really care," Johnson said. "The atmosphere of success is pervasive and is very appealing."

In addition to being named to the all-state team, Johnson played at the Nike All-American camp the past two years.

"Mitch is a proven leader and winner," coach Johnson said. "He makes other players better on the court. We feel our program and players will be very solid in the future."
Women's basketball

Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer became familiar with her recruits through Stanford camps. Oak Ridge High of Texas' Morgan Clyburn, a 6-4 center, Molloy High of New York's Rosalyn Gold-Onwude, and Lakeridge High of Oregon's Jillian Harmon all attended camps hosted by Stanford.

"We know them as people," VanDerveer said. "We've worked with all three and we're very excited about the intangibles, especially how competitive they are. We're counting on them to contribute as freshmen."

Clyburn, an all-state and honorable mention All-American, averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks a game as a junior.

"I based my decision to come to Stanford on it being the best combination of academics and basketball that you can find anywhere," Clyburn said. "It's a great school and a great team. Plus it's in California and I'm excited to get to play with Ros and Jillian."

Gold-Onwude averaged 19 points and eight rebounds as a point guard last season and was named the top female athlete in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. She's an all-state selection and an honorable mention All-American.

"At Stanford you're surrounded by excellent people," Gold-Onwude said. "It's great motivation because there's only one way to go: up. I have a lot to learn and a lot to accomplish."

Harmon, a 6-1 center, averaged 23 points and 11 rebounds in earning Oregon Player of the Year honors for the second straight season. She also participated in the USA Youth Development Festival and the Nike All-American camp last summer.

"The basketball program is among the best in the country and so are the academics," Harmon said. "I have wanted to play basketball for Stanford ever since I can remember. This is a dream come true."

VanDerveer said the signings will all fill a need for next season, when Stanford loses five seniors, all of whom have started during their careers.

"They are all very different players at three different positions that our team really needs," VanDerveer said. "Morgan has great size and will fit well in our system. Ros is an extraordinary passer and a very intelligent player. Jillian is very versatile. She's just a good all-around player."
Women's volleyball

Cynthia Barboza, a six-foot outside hitter from Long Beach Wilson High, was the youngest member of the USA women's national training team which earned a bronze medal at the 2003 Pan American Games in the Dominican Republic. She also became the first junior to be named Gatorade National Player of the Year after recording 550 kills and 38 service aces.

Barboza also trained with the United States national team in preparation for the Olympics in Greece. She served as first alternate and was the only high school player on the team.

"She's obviously a very bright, physically gifted athlete," Stanford coach John Dunning said. "She has an amazing future stretching our in front of her."

Barboza, the top recruit in the country, will be joined by Menlo School's Alex Fisher, Florida's Foluke Akinradewo and Missouri's Erin Waller.

"I couldn't be more excited for our program," Dunning said. "These four players can have an effect on the college volleyball world."

Akinradewo, a 6-3 middle blocker, was a member of the USA Junior National Team which won a gold medal at the 2004 NORCECA.

Fisher led the Knights to the state championship finals in her first two years and was named a Top 50 recruit by prepvolleyball.com.

"I have watched Alex play for years and have always felt she would develop into a fine player," Dunning said. "She is one of the best blockers and servers in the class. As she becomes stronger each year she will continue to improve."

Waller, a 6-1 outside hitter, was a prep All-American as a junior and led Incarnate Word Academy to the state tile this season. She was prepvolleyball.com's National Junior of the Year.
Women's golf

Stanford added a pair of Junior All-Americans to the program in Honolulu's Mari Chun and Alameda's Ki-Shui Liao.

"It's absolutely one of the best classes in the country," Stanford coach Caroline O'Connor said. "With the addition of this class, I expect that we will be poised to run for a championship immediately."

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