Humboldt State Athletics

Despite the shelter in place restrictions, it’s been a busy offseason for the Humboldt State women’s basketball program.

Head coach Michelle Bento-Jackson has added a remarkable 13 new players, announcing the new recruiting class this week.

The group includes five freshmen, six junior college transfers, and two transfers from four-year institutions.

“We are certainly excited about these 13 signees,” the coach said. “It is a large group and a brand-new team. However, we feel that we have identified young women with high character and who will fit for our women’s basketball program.”

Bento-Jackson added the players and coaches are eager to get to work.

“There will definitely be a large learning curve, a sense of urgency to get them to grow up real fast and a lot will be determined by how quickly they develop,” she said. “We believe they are motivated and ready for the challenge.”

The new players include:

Mariah Barraza — A freshman guard who averaged 14.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game in her senior season at Spanish Springs High School.

Samantha Caires — A junior transfer from Butte College where she averaged 9.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

Citlaly Davalas — A transfer from East Los Angeles College, where she averaged 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game last season.

Davina Del Castillo — A senior transfer from Cal State San Marcos, where she averaged 2.6 points and 4.7 rebounds in her junior season.

Dejanae “DeDe” Franklin —  A freshman guard from Eastside Prep College High School in Union City, California.

Sophia Hughes — A junior transfer from Los Angeles Valley College, where she averaged 10.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.

Julia Iman — This past season, the junior transfer averaged 14.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game for Mira Costa College.

Madison Parry — A freshman guard from Newcastle, Calif., where she attended Del Oro High School, averaging 16.9 points, 11.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.

Sharon Roldan — A junior transfer from Notre Dame de Namur University where she averaged 6.0 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.

Katie Schwan — A freshman forward from Tesoro High School who averaged 13.7 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.1 rebounds per game.

Ashley Taylor Peralta — A transfer from Wenatchee Valley Junior College who averaged 7.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game last season. 

Haylei Janssens — A transfer from Mt. San Jacinto College, where she averaged 19.1 points and 13.0 rebounds per game last season.

Kazimierz “Kazee” Parks — Averaged 10.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game for Skyview High School this past season.