Transfers commit to OU women

Ottawa University women’s basketball team added two Johnson County Community transfers and a Colorado prep star for the 2008-09 season.

The new signees are former Wellsville High School standout Erica Patton, Misty Stone and Whitney Ashcraft.

Erica Patton

Patton returns to the basketball floor after taking a year off. The 2007 Wellsville graduate attended Johnson County as a student this past year and will have four years of eligibility remaining.

“She was a local standout that had a great high school career. Erica had a knack for scoring the basketball for Wellsville. Her ability to put the ball on the floor and knock down the three will be an asset to the team,” Ottawa coach Bruce Tate said.

The 5-foot-7 guard was an all-state, all-area and all-league player during her high school career.

She led the basketball and softball teams to state during her senior year.

“After taking a year off playing competitively, Erica will have a great opportunity to develop and adjust to the college game in our sub-varsity program,” Tate said.

She plans to major in business.

Misty Stone

Stone, a 5-10 forward, is also a transfer from Johnson County. She averaged 3.1 points and 3.2 rebounds with a career-high 19 points against Allen Community College. She recorded her first collegiate double-double  against Neosho County with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Stone was a two-time all-state selection at Royal Valley High School and averaged a double-double her senior season, 11.4 points and 10.5 rebounds.

“It will be good to finally see her officially in the black and gold,” Tate said. “She was a player that I recruited out of high and stayed in contact with the past two seasons. I felt we had a solid chance at her coming out Johnson County.

“Misty is a solid ball player and will provide solid post play on both ends of the floor. She plays well with her back to the basket, but moves well without the ball for a post player, is able to hit the short jumper, and positions herself well for rebounding opportunities. I know what to expect from Misty on daily basis and that’s a team first attitude and hard work. Her character, leadership, and experience will make an immediate impact in our program.”

Stone plans to major in biology.

Whitney Ashcraft

Ashcraft led her Grand Valley High School team within a point of a state title this past season.

The 5-10 forward led her team to two state tournaments.

“Whit had a great senior campaign at Grand Valley competing for a state championship. Her ability to control the boards is what I’m excited about the most, but has some raw talent and her best basketball is yet to come. Colorado is a state I would like to land some student-athletes from time to time. Whit has an outstanding attitude and character; I’m proud to say that she will be my first,” Tate said.

She earned all-conference and all-all state honors as a senior.

“Whit is a great addition to our basketball program and campus. She meshed extremely well with the players and coaching staff during her campus visit. “Whit will have a great opportunity to compete and develop in our sub-varsity program right away. Pending on how she develops and adjusts, I hope she can be pushing some of our returners for minutes by the end of the year,” Tate said.

She plans to major in physical education.