Valparaiso University head women’s basketball coach Keith Freeman has announced the signings of two student-athletes to National Letters of Intent.  Skyler Gick and Laura Richards have both committed to continue their basketball careers for the Crusaders beginning in the 2009-2010 season.

                Gick is a 5’7” guard from Otterbein, Ind.  Playing at Benton Central High School, she has averaged more than 14 points per game each of her first three seasons, including 15.1 points per contest last year as a junior.  She averaged 3.3 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game for the Bison, who have gone 54-16 in her three years with the team.

                A two-time All-Hoosier Conference selection, Gick was named to the All-Area First Team each of the last three years.  Three times selected to the IBCA Top-100 Showcase, she was a First Team All-State selection by Hoosier Girls Basketball Magazine in 2007 after earning Second Team accolades in 2006.  Last year, she was an Indianapolis Star Junior All-Star and an ICGSA All-State Second Team pick in addition to being named to the IBCA Underclass All-State Team.

                “Skyler is a great fit for Valparaiso University,” commented Freeman.  “Athletically she has tremendous skills and will be able to help us at the guard spot.  She has the ability to make others better.”

                Richards is a 5’9” guard from Connersville, Ind.  Playing at Connersville High School she averaged 16.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per game as a junior.  She also registered 4.2 assists and 4.1 steals per night while shooting 54.4% from the field while leading Connersville to a 19-3 record last year.

                A member of the South Team for the Indiana Junior All-Stars, Richards is a two-time team Most Valuable Player and two-time First Team All-Olympic Conference selection.  She was an IBCA Underclassman All-State Honorable Mention I 2008 and a participant in the 2007 IBCA Top-100 Underclassman Showcase.

                “Laura is an outstanding student-athlete,” Freeman said.  “She is a versatile player who has the ability to make others better.  She is a very good athlete and will be a great fit for our program.”