Women’s Basketball announces six signees for next year

WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace’s women’s basketball team is pleased to reveal the 2020 incoming freshmen.

Head coach Dan Davis, entering his third season, has brought in six talented freshmen to next year’s squad. The Lady Lancers are coming off arguably their best season in program history, setting the record for best winning percentage (19-13) before the season was cut short due to COVID-19.

We’re very excited about our 2020 class. We have six freshmen that we’ve brought in. It’s a group with a lot of talent, overall athletic ability and size. These ladies will fit the style and pace that we want to play. They are high academic, high character ladies who also love to compete. Each one of the ladies understand what our culture is about and are excited to be part of Grace and play here. They are positive people who bring high energy. It’s a very versatile class which gives us a lot of options for next season.

Grace head coach Dan Davis

KIARA GILL

Kiara is a super athletic combo guard. She is incredibly strong and fast, and she will help push our tempo. She’s vocal and looks to create for others, and defensively she will fit in great with us. She has natural leadership characteristics, which I’m excited to see develop.

COACH DAN

A versatile 5-foot-5 guard from Carmel High School
Winner of the team’s We Above Me Award as a senior, given to one player who demonstrates hard work ethic and leadership skills
Helped the 4A Greyhounds go 15-8 as a senior, averaging 5 points, 3 steals and 3 rebounds per game
Saw Carmel win two sectional titles
Won the Best Female Athlete Class of 2020 award and was nominated to the Catch the Stars scholarship
Ranked No. 87 in the state player rankings by Prep Girls Hoops
Was an accomplished track athlete, making three state appearances as well as placing third in the long jump in 2018
Posted a long jump PR of 17-feet-3 as a sophomore
Brother to current Lancer guard Eddie Gill IV
Won multiple academic honors
Served as youth mentor to children in the community

I loved the family atmosphere that Grace has, and I knew I would be challenged both athletically and academically. I want to develop into a strong basketball player who can be trusted and perform at a high level.

KIARA GILL

MACKENZIE McMAHON

She might have one of the best motors I’ve ever seen during my years of coaching. She’s physically ready for the college game and can play multiple positions. Kenzie is a very versatile player who can fill a lot of roles for us next season.

COACH DAN

An honorable mention All-State performer from Bellmont
Posted a 75-21 record over her four years
The 5-foot-10 forward/guard won two NE8 championships
Was a four-time All-Conference selection
Honorable mention for All-Area (Fort Wayne)
Part of the Hoosier Basketball Magazine’s Top 100 seniors
Ranked No. 62 in the state player rankings by Prep Girls Hoops
Also played soccer and track at Bellmont
An Academic All-State honoree for basketball and track
Won All-Conference accolades in soccer, helping her team win the conference championship

The women’s basketball team at Grace focuses on something more than basketball. Everyone made me feel like I was welcome and belonged, and they proved that God was the top priority which is exactly what I was looking for. I’m ready to find my role with the team, contribute with everything I have and help the team win.

MACKENZIE MCMAHON

WBB fastbreak layup Kamryn Hostetler 2019

SARAH O'DAY

Sarah is a super athletic, attacking guard. She is long, fast and explosive. She can create off the dribble and knock down the open 3-pointer. There is a lot that she will bring to both sides of the floor.

COACH DAN

An accomplished basketball and track star from Plainfield High School
An All-Hendricks County honoree as a senior
The 5-foot-11 guard was named to the Hoosier Basketball Magazine’s top 60 seniors
Also named to the All-Conference Team
An elite defender, she finished her career ranked eighth in school history for blocks
Ranked No. 51 in the state player rankings by Prep Girls Hoops
Also starred on the track, winning the county championship in the 100-meters, 200 and 4x100 relay
Qualified for the indoor state championship twice in the 4x200
Qualified for outdoor regionals in the 100m, 200 and 4x100
Owns school record in the 4x100

I loved the coaches and players at Grace. The atmosphere of campus was exactly what I was looking for. I’m ready to help contribute to the team to the best of my ability.

SARAH O'DAY

KAYLEE PATTON

Kaylee is a versatile forward/guard who we can utilize in a lot of different positions. She’s one of the best passers I’ve seen. She is very smart and can create mismatches because of how she plays. She can bring the ball up, play in the post and shoot the three.

COACH DAN

An IBCA honorable mention All-State performer from Warsaw
The 5-foot-9 guard/forward was a four-year starter for the Tigers, winning honorable mention All-Conference honors
Posted 7.9 points per game and a team-high 81 assists as a senior
Was Second Team All-Ink Free News
Shot 45 percent on 3-pointers as a junior
Helped the Tigers go 16-8 in 2019-20
Was honorable mention for Academic All-State
Was also an honorable mention All-Conference selection for Warsaw’s soccer team, playing goalkeeper
A member of the National Honor Society and honor roll student every semester

I chose Grace College because I really liked Coach Davis, Coach Mac and the whole team. Grace is a great size for a school, and I get to be close to home. I hope to leave a legacy at Grace not only as a basketball player, but as a person.

KAYLEE PATTON

KIERSTEN POOR

Kiersten is one of the most complete players that we’ve recruited in the past few years. She can really score the ball in a lot of ways. She has deep range, can drive and get to the rim or knock down a midrange shot. She does a really good job seeing the floor and making plays for her teammates.

COACH DAN

A dynamic 5-foot-11 wing from Jeffersonville High School
Invited to the Indiana Top 60 workout
Honored as First Team All-Conference
Produced 8.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals per game as a senior for the 4A Red Devils
Shot 35 percent on 3-pointers as a senior
Made the Hoosier Basketball Magazine’s Top 100 Seniors
Helped Jeffersonville to two conference championships
Ranked No. 35 in the state player rankings by Prep Girls Hoops
Made All-Tournament Team for the Columbus North Invitational
Won the Adidas 17u silver gauntlet in Chicago during AAU competition
Part of the National Honor Society, ranking seventh academically in her class
Was also a two-time regional qualifier on the cross country team

I really enjoyed getting to meet the players and coaches. The academics also align with my career aspirations. My goal for basketball is to come prepared to do my best and to help contribute to the team’s success.

KIERSTEN POOR

CARISSA WIEGMAN

Carissa is a strong, physical post player. She has solid post moves already on the low block and touch around the rim. She can run the floor from a center position or step out and knock down a three.

COACH DAN

A two-time All-Conference honoree from Bishop Dwenger
5-foot-11 post player
Was on the varsity team all four years
Was honorable mention for Academic All-State in 2020
Served as team captain twice
Played in the Indiana Elite North vs South All-Star Game in 2019 as well as the Indiana East vs West All-Star Game
Won the Bill Kalb Memorial Award

I chose Grace College because of the atmosphere, culture, community and coaching staff. I’m ready to continue developing my basketball skills and to help the team compete at a high level.

CARISSA WIEGMAN

KIARA GILL

MACKENZIE McMAHON

SARAH O'DAY

KAYLEE PATTON

KIERSTEN POOR

CARISSA WIEGMAN

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