St. John's University Athletics
St. John's Announces Women's Basketball Signings
5/13/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
November 21, 2003
Jamaica, N.Y. - St. John's University head women's basketball coach Kim Barnes Arico has announced that four players have signed National Letters of Intent with St. John's University.
Angel McCoughtry of Baltimore, Md., Andrea Peterson of Norwood, Pa., Jenn Jones of Arkport, N.Y., and Tiina Sten from Turku, Finland have all decided to continue their academic and athletic careers with the Jamaica, N.Y. institution beginning in the fall of 2004.
"I'm very excited about our 2004-05 class," Barnes Arico said. "We were able to get some great players that will help fill in some holes and help us continue moving in the right direction."
McCoughtry, a 6-1 forward from St. Frances Academy, was the 2002-03 All-Metro girls basketball Player of the Year after leading the Panthers to its second Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference title. Earlier this season, she was named Street & Smith's preseason honorable mention All-America. A quick and agile player under the basket, McCoughtry is averaging 14 points and 10.5 rebounds at St. Frances.
"Angel is one of the best athletes in the nation. She and current freshman Angela Clark have a similar style - they're both tremendous athletes with excellent leaping ability. Angel will help us on the boards immediately."
Peterson led the Archbishop Carroll girls basketball team to the Catholic League Playoff Championship last season, averaging 8.8 points and 5.6 assists per game from. The standout point guard was named to the 2003 Daily Times All-Delco girls basketball team and is regarded as one of the top players in the Philadelphia area.
"An exceptional point guard from one of the top high school programs, Andrea plays against the tough competition night after night," said Barnes Arico of Peterson. "She is a good student and a good athlete - the kind of player we want in our program."
The 2003 Steuben County Player of the Year, Jones averaged 24 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks per game at Arkport High School. The 6-0 forward/center was a member of the All-Rochester First team, the Empire State Western Team and was named the Class D Most Valuable Player, after leading the class in scoring.
I believe Jenn is going to be a surprise in the BIG EAST next year," Barnes Arico said of Jones. "Not only does she have great strength and size, but she handles the ball like a guard, has range from the outside and is strong and tough at the post. Her ability to play several positions will make her a tremendous asset and enable to be very successful in the league."
Sten will bring extensive international experience to next year's team, having been a member of the Finnish National Team. She set a Finnish record when she scored 32 points in a game with the Under 20 Finnish Team against Sweden in April. She was named the Most Valuable Player in the Scandanavian Championship Tournament of National Teams in 2003. In league play this season she is averaging team-highs in points (18.4), rebounds (9.6) and blocks (2.1).
"Tiina brings great international experience, having played for Finland. She's a great shooter with good size, and, like Jenn Jones, can help us at several positions."
The St. John's women's basketball team was slated to finish 12th in the 2003-04 BIG EAST Coaches Preseason Poll. Last season, Barnes Arico's first season at the helm, the Red Storm finished with an 8-19 overall record and 2-14 in the BIG EAST.
