St. John's University Athletics
St. John's Women's Basketball Inks Four Prep Standouts
11/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 14, 2005
QUEENS, N.Y. - St. John's head women's basketball coach Kim Barnes Arico announced today the signing of Victoria Hodges, Joy McCorvey, Arecia "Recee" Mitchell and Allie Patterson to National Letters of Intent to play for the Red Storm beginning in 2006.
"We are bringing in four quality players from quality programs," said Barnes Arico. "We're excited about this national recruiting class because they all have experience at a high level and are students of the game. Academically, they are good students who will help us continue to do well in the classroom, which is something we emphasize. They are quality student-athletes."
Victoria Hodges (Farmington, Conn.) averaged a double-double with 12.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game last season for Farmington High School. In 2004-05, she was a member of the Coaches All-State Team, the New Britain Herald All-Conference Team and the All-Academic Team. After Farmington won the NW Conference Tournament, Hodges was named Most Valuable Player.
"Victoria has great size; she is 6-3 and strong," Barnes Arico said. "She is aggressive and a tough defender that will give us a needed inside presence."
Joy McCorvey (Brewton, Ala.) is the second student-athlete to commit to play basketball for St. John's out of Alabama in the last two years, as she will join current freshman Angel Tate on the Red Storm roster. Described by Coach Barnes Arico as "fiery, tenacious and passionate," McCorvey led T.R. Miller High School by averaging 18 points and 12 rebounds per game as a junior. She was a top three finalist for The Birmingham News' Miss Basketball Award, and was chosen for the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Game.
"I loved watching Joy play this summer," Barnes Arico said. "She plays both ends of the floor and is an exciting, athletic player."
Arecia "Recee" Mitchell (Tyler, Texas) averaged 14.8 points and 9.8 rebounds for John Tyler High School. A first team All-District and second team All-East Texas selection, Mitchell's team was ranked as high as fourth in the nation during her sophomore season. That year, the forward was named Newcomer of the Year in East Texas.
"Recee has a strong, physical post presence," Barnes Arico said. "She has a great energy level and finishes well around the basket."
Allie Patterson (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) will join St. John's from the Golden State, and will be the first Californian on the Red Storm roster since the 2002-03 season. She led her high school squad with 10 double-doubles, including a single-game school record 36-point game as a junior. After averaging 15 points and seven rebounds per game that year, she was named to the first team All-Baseline League, All Inland Valley and All California State Team. She was also named an honorable mention All-American by Street & Smith.
"Allie is a 6-1 post player who has great speed and can defend," Barnes Arico said. "She is quick, great off the dribble and gets to the basket well. She is the type of player that can play inside or outside."
The Red Storm tip off its 2005-06 campaign with a Friday night game against Boston University. The game will begin at 7 p.m. in Carnesecca Arena.
For ticket information visit www.RedStormSports.com or call 1-888-GO STORM.