University of Richmond Athletics
Women's Basketball Adds Third Signee
11/13/2006 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 13, 2006
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Richmond women's basketball head coach Michael Shafer announced today that Rebecca Kretchman signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Spiders next year, becoming a member of the recruiting class of 2007-08. Kretchman joins incoming freshmen Kelley Flynn and Brittani Shells, who signed with the Spiders earlier this week.
Kretchman, a 6-0 forward from Raleigh, N.C., joins the Spiders from Athens Drive High School, where she put in 16.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg and 5.0 apg last year. With 86-straight career starts, Kretchman has already scored 962 points in her high school career and is on pace to become the school's all-time leading scorer.
Chris Danehower, Kretchman's coach at Athens Drive High School, is thrilled with Kretchman's decision to play with the Spiders. "I think Rebecca is a very versatile player and she should fit in well with the team. She's the type of player that improves every day. She's started every game since she was a freshman; she's just played a lot of basketball. She will definitely contribute to the team. She's a team leader, gets people going and sees the floor very well. I know she's excited about coming up there. I think it's a good fit for her and I'm excited for her."
"Rebecca Kretchman is a perfect Richmond player," stated Shafer. "She is an excellent student, a great person and a very good player. Rebecca can shoot the three, drive, pass, score and rebound. She reminds me of a very young Kate Flavin in the way that she moves around. She plays hard all the time and will develop into a very nice player at Richmond."
A three-time All-Triangle Athletic Conference first team selection, Kretchman was rated the 65th best forward in the country by the All-Star Girl's Report Recruiting Service. In 2006, she was selected to compete in the Junior Olympics for Team North Carolina, in addition to being named a McDonald's High School All-American honorable mention.
"Becca gives us the versatility to play her at a couple of positions because she does she shoot the ball from the perimeter, passes well and handles the ball," continued Shafer. "She will begin her career as a forward, but could see some time as a big guard later in her development."
Flynn, a 6-5 center from Hopkinton, N.H., joins the Spiders from Hopkinton High School where she averaged 27.0 ppg, 18.0 rpg and 7.0 bpg last year as she led her team to the State Semi-Finals. Flynn was named a 2006 Street & Smith All-American honorable mention and was rated the 48th best center in the country by the All-Star Girl's Report Recruiting Service.
The two-time All-State honorable mention and All-State first team honoree has already reached 1,215 career points and was ranked a Top 10 Player in Varsity New England Magazine for two years straight. While at Trinity High School her sophomore year, Flynn was named a Monabnock League All-Star and the MVP of Queen City Invitational Basketball All-Star, in addition to leading her team to the State Finals.
Shells, a 5-8 guard from Camdem, Del., averaged 14.0 ppg, 6.0 apg and 4.0 spg for Carvel Academy last year and was rated the 28th best player in the country by the Blue Star Index Recruiting Service. The 2006 Street & Smith All-American honorable mention turned down scholarship offers from several colleges, including defending national champion, Maryland, to attend Richmond.
Shells has already scored over 1,000 points in her high school career and was twice named to the All-State and Northern Division All-Henlopen Conference first teams. Additionally, she was named the MVP of the Jameer Nelson Basketball Showcase and the Best Play Maker at the Five Star Basketball Camp.
"Signing these three kids, in my opinion, is a good follow up to last year's class," stated Shafer. "It definitely addresses our needs inside and gives us even more versatility and a big-time scoring guard. Our assistants, Chris Carroll did an excellent job getting these players early. I'm excited about the direction we are headed; we ought to have some good years of success."
